Melic Silky Spike Melica Ciliata is a deciduous perennial ornamental grass native to Europe, North Africa and Southwest Asia. Melic Silky Spike seeds have to be just slightly pressed into the soil and covered thinly with sand or soil. Other common names of this plant are Nodding Melic, Pearl Grass, Eyelash Pearl Grass, Silky Melic, and Hairy Melic. Established Melic Silky Spike forms compact clumps of blue-green foliage grass with upright to arching, linear leaves and blooms with narrow, erect to nodding panicles of silky, white flowers which fade to cream as they begin to die off. The flowers appear throughout summer.
Melic Silky Spike is a neat, stunning looking upright grass that is well-suited to the borders, small gardens or containers. Silky Melic grass also great as a ground cover. Melica Ciliata seeds germinate in 14-30 days, and once established, this plant tolerates full sun, drought and sandy, drought-prone soils. Hairy Melic has the attractive papery spikelets that are superb for cutting and using in fresh floral arrangements if they are cut before they are fully open.
PLANT PROFILE
Season: Perennial
Height: 16 Inches
Bloom Season: Spring/Summer
Environment: Sun/Partial Shade
Soil Type: Average/Poor/Moist well-drained, pH 5.8-6.8
USDA Zones: 5-9
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow Indoors: Winter (4-6 weeks before last frost)
Sow Outdoors: Spring
Seed Depth: Surface sowing/Cover thinly with soil
Germination Time: 14-30 Days
