Puccinellia distans Seeds | Weeping Alkaligrass
LATIN NAME: Puccinellia distans
COMMON NAME: Weeping Alkaligrass
Plant Profile
Puccinellia distans, commonly known as Weeping Alkaligrass, is a hardy, perennial in the grass family. Weeping alkaligrass droops nodding, branched panicles over fine, grey-green leaves along edges of salty ground, and the whole plant carries the fine, hardy look of the salt marsh. It is a plant of open, sunny, light, salty, well-drained ground. Few species give back so generously for so little effort.
Science & Biotechnology
Seed science, comparative botany and horticultural selection all touch on Puccinellia distans, a representative of the grass family with clear practical value. The practical point for growers is that this plant has been observed in gardens for so long that its behaviour holds few surprises.
Uses & Benefits
Weeping Alkaligrass works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Weeping alkaligrass is a hardy, useful plant of salt marsh and study collection. It is a hardy, useful plant of open, sunny, light, salty, well-drained garden. Alkaligrass seeds grow well in a silty, loamy mix kept lightly moist. Once it has its roots down, it more or less looks after itself.
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
Weeping Alkaligrass grows readily from seed. Sow thinly on the surface of a loose, well-drained seed compost, cover lightly, water in gently and keep the tray in a sunny spot with even moisture. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Weeping Alkaligrass repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
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