How To Grow Hardy Annual Bunny Tail Grass

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Lagurus Ovatus or Bunny Tail grass is a beautiful Hardy Annual Grass that resembles tiny rabbit tails! Not only does it look fantastic in the garden but it also makes a wonderful addition to dried flower arrangements. Here’s how I grow and Dry mine…

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Bunny Tail Grass Origins!

Bunny Tail grass also known as hare’s-tail grass (Lagurus ovatus) is sown Annually in the UK but is considered an invasive species in some parts of Australia and California. It is native to mostly mediterranean shores yet it has been thriving on sandy stretches in the islands of Jersey and Guernsey since its introduction to the uk many years ago.

Bunny Tail Grass characterisics

Bunny tail grass is a clump forming Annual grass with grey, green blade like leaves with soft, creamy white, oval flowers on barely there stems. Blades of Bunny tail grass can grow to heights of around 40cm.

The need to touch them is overwhelming! A delightful grass that bobs and sways in the wind reminiscent of a garden from a fairytale!

Bunny tail Grass Symbolism

The gift of Bunnytail stems or seeds symbolises an equal measure of Strength and gentleness. The plant itself implies this with its delicate stems capable of holding aloft the much larger fluffy pannicles. Give them in time of need and mourning to let the recipient know you’re thinking of them.

How To Dry Bunny Tail Grass For Dried Flower arrangements

Cut a bunch of Bunny Tails at the base of the plant. Tie a length of garden twine around the end of the stems. Then hang the bunch in a dark, dry place for around two weeks until thoroughly dried out.

Great News! Your bunny tails will last for years! No water required ;0)

How To Grow bunny tail Grass

Lets get stuck in! How do you grow these little beauties? First we need some seeds…

Buy Bunny Tail Seeds

Sow Indoors

Start Indoors in early spring around 4 weeks before your last frost date.
Sow several seeds per pot around 1/4 inch deep in moist, good quality compost, place on a sunny windowsill, cover with a propogator lid or polythene bag until germination occurs (around 14-21 days)
Plant out in clumps in a sunny spot once all risk of frost has passed *Be sure to harden off indoor raised seedlings first

What Does Hardening Off Mean?
Plants raised indoors or in a greenhouse environment, need to be acclimatised to cooler temperatures and increased air movement for about two to three weeks before they are planted outdoors permanently. This is a ‘toughening up’ practice to prepare the plants for their new environment.

How to Harden Off
Place your plants out for a couple of hours in a shady part of the garden. The next day, leave them out again for two hours, but this time allow the plants an hour of direct sunshine in the morning. Gradually continue to increase the length of time the plants are in direct sunshine over the course of roughly two weeks.

Sow Direct Outdoors

Find a nice sunny spot
Sow thinly into a bed of finely raked, moist, warm soil from March To May where the plants are to flower. Or sow 1/4 inch deep in Pots like I have using a good quality compost…

Germination Should Occur within 14-21 days (no need to thin them out, just let them grow!)
*You could also sow the seeds around September time for early flowering the following year