Milium effusum
wood millet
Europe, temperate Asia, eastern North America
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Milium effusum is a loosely tufted, shade-tolerant perennial grass of woodland, growing 2-6 feet (60-180 cm) tall in flower. It forms open clumps of soft, flat, pale to mid-green leaf blades up to 0.6 inch (15 mm) wide and 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long, which arch outward and give the plant a relaxed, leafy look. In late spring and early summer slender stems rise above the foliage and carry airy, open panicles 6-16 inches (15-40 cm) long, branched widely and hung with very small green spikelets that catch the light and move in the slightest air. The spikelets ripen to shed small grain-like seeds, and the plant self-sows where the ground is open. It grows in moist, humus-rich soil in dappled or full shade, spreading slowly into drifts in woodland and shaded borders. Foliage dies back in winter and reappears in early spring. The species is more at home in cool shade than open sun, where its leaves scorch and thin. Beyond its leafy clump and seed heads, it has little winter structure once cut down.
Native Range
Milium effusum is native across Europe, temperate Asia, and eastern North America, growing in damp deciduous and mixed woodland, shaded stream banks, and hedge bottoms. It favors cool, moist, fertile soils in shade.Suggested Uses
Grown in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and the cool edges of ponds and streams for its soft foliage and airy early-summer flower heads. It combines with ferns, wood anemones, and other shade plants. Left to seed, it naturalizes into loose drifts.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 6'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Pale to mid greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich, fertile soil that does not dry out. It is hardy to USDA zone 5 and dies back to the crown in winter, returning in early spring. Cool shade suits it, and the leaves scorch and thin in hot sun or dry soil. It needs little feeding in good woodland soil and spreads slowly by short rhizomes and self-sown seed. Cutting back old growth in late winter keeps the clump tidy, and it has few pests, though rust can spot the leaves.Pruning
Old foliage and spent flower stems are cut back to the base in late winter before new growth. Self-sown seedlings are thinned or removed where not wanted. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons