Common quaking grass (Briza media) is a grass plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Common quaking grass (Briza media).
This plant has several common names including: common quaking grass, cow quake, didder, dithering grass, dodder grass, doddering dillies, doddle grass, earthquakes, jiggle-joggles, jockey grass, lady’s hair, maidenhair grass, pearl grass, quake grass, quakers and shakers, shaking grass, totter or wagwants.
This is a semi-evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: common quaking grass, cow quake, didder, dithering grass, dodder grass, doddering dillies, doddle grass, earthquakes, jiggle-joggles, jockey grass, lady’s hair, maidenhair grass, pearl grass, quake grass, quakers and shakers, shaking grass, totter, wagwants
Scientific name: Briza media
Plant type: Grasses, Perennials
Habit: Columnar / Upright
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden
Planting type: Cut Flowers, Flower borders and bedding
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Common quaking grass (Briza media) – Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Common quaking grass (Briza media), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Common quaking grass (Briza media) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Briza media likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Common quaking grass (Briza media) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Common quaking grass (Briza media) – Bartosz Cuber, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
