Agrostis matsumurae Seeds | Japanese Bentgrass
LATIN NAME: Agrostis matsumurae
COMMON NAME: Japanese Bentgrass
Plant Profile
Japanese Bentgrass (Agrostis matsumurae) is a distinctive species. Pollinating insects take to the flowers at once, adding a little wildlife interest to its garden value. It is the sort of plant that quietly justifies the space it occupies.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the Agrostis group, Agrostis matsumurae is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. Its fine, dense growth habit, shared with commercially significant relatives, has also drawn some interest from turfgrass researchers studying regional Japanese grass species for local landscaping applications. Gardeners benefit directly from its long cultivation: what the plant will do in a garden is well understood.
Uses & Benefits
Japanese Bentgrass works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Within Japan, this species contributes to native grassland plant communities and has some regional use in local landscaping and turf applications, benefiting from qualities shared with its more commercially prominent bentgrass relatives. It remains relatively little known outside Japan, of interest mainly to specialists in East Asian grassland flora. Once it has settled, the workload drops to almost nothing.
Like the best garden herbs, it rewards growers twice: once in the garden with scent and pollinators, and again in the home as a traditional household herb.
Growing from Seed
Raising Japanese Bentgrass from seed is straightforward. Sow fine seed onto surface of a loose, well-drained mix without covering it deeply, since fine grass seed germinates best with good light contact at soil surface. Keep medium consistently moist until germination is well underway, and this species establishes readily under the same conditions that suit most fine-leaved temperate grasses. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in bright light until the seedlings are well up. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.
Our Take
This is a good pick for enthusiasts looking to diversify a collection, and Japanese Bentgrass grows into a genuinely rewarding plant. On top of that, it establishes readily from seed, so it is a forgiving choice for a first attempt with the species.
Related Reading
More species in the same orbit as Japanese Bentgrass: