Border Builder

Sweet Vernal Grass

Anthoxanthum odoratum

Illustration of Sweet Vernal Grass

Sweet Vernal Grass is a grass for edging, groundcover, suited to full sun and loam, sandy soil or chalk, flowering Apr, May, Jun.

TypeGrass
Mature height40 cm
Spread25 cm
Aspectfull sun
FoliageDeciduous
HardinessUSDA 4a-9a, RHS H7
Pollinator-friendlyNo
Pet-safeYes

Where to use it in a border

At around 40 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 25 cm of room to spread, roughly 4 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 4a to 9a and rated H7 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of full sun, sandy soil, chalk soil, pet-safe plants.

Border Builder uses Sweet Vernal Grass's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

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Flowering through the year

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Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

Garden styles

Meadow Native