foxtail barley
Hordeum jubatum
RHS AGM 2018
USDA zones3 to 10
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterNeeds moderate soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall
- Habit
- Grass/grass-like
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- White , green , purple
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Notes
Foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) is a grass for borders, meadows, and low maintenance beds. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun, average moisture, and most soil types. The nodding flower clusters open purple to pale green and carry long, straight bristles. After flowering, the bristles frizz up and the heads dry to a bleached tan. The dry heads break apart easily, so plant it where that is welcome.
Pairs well with Blue grama, Showy milkweed, and Black Oil sunflower.
Native range
Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Asia, and 16 more places. See all 20
Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Asia, Africa, Azores, Baleares, Canary Is., Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Madeira, NW. Balkan Pen., Sardegna, Sicilia, Tadzhikistan, and Türkiye.