or Green bristle grass, or Green foxtail
I first noticed this pretty little grass growing in our garden several years ago. It arrived as a hitch-hiker in a pot of some perennial or other that I had been given and which is long forgotten, but I’ve enjoyed the presence of the Setaria ever since because it is a non-aggressive, yet prolific, self-seeder (not generally considered to be invasive but I have no doubt that some might question this).
Although it was first recorded in the wild at Hampton Court in 1666, it has only recently become a lot more common here and its informal entry into our garden probably mirrors its further introductions into the UK – casually via plant imports, bird seed and carelessly in grain. I have read that Setaria viridis is a subspecies of S italica and I have come across many variations: in leaf and flower colour, and in height and habit, some of which have been variously named by those who sell the seed.
This attractive little grass (30-40 cm in our garden) is a hardy annual and seems to prefer poor sandy soil; it loves establishing itself in cracks and suchlike spaces. It forms airy tufts above which low arching stems hold spikes of variously coloured bristly flower heads from midsummer through to autumn. These are delicate and perfect for cutting.
NB Louise has published a beautifully produced book of her plant profiles – A Plant for Each Week of the Year. It costs £9.99 and is for sale in our online shop here.
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