Description
We don’t have to tell you that here in Australia, hot relentless summers and periodic droughts have been commonplace. These harsh conditions are not new to our native grasses. They have managed with them for many, many generations and will continue to do so in some of the hottest parts of the year. This lawn mix brings together some of our most drought tolerant native grasses for one of our most water use efficient lawn mixes yet.
GRASSES IN THE MIX
Redgrass (Bothriochloa macra) – This species is prohibited in WA.
- It survives well in harsh dryland conditions where less hardy grasses usually fail.
- Redgrass grows on a variety of soil types but is best on heavy clay.
- It prefers slightly acid to neutral pH soils, but can tolerate moderate alkalinity.
- It will germinate only under warm conditions, that is with air temperatures consistently above 250C
Silky Bluegrass (Dichanthium sericeum)
- This grass prefers warmer, drier sites. It is adapted to a broad range of climates and soil types.
- This grass is highly drought tolerant & heat tolerant, with a moderate frost tolerance.
Griffin Weeping grass (Microlaena Stipoides var. Griffin)
- Developed by the University of New England specifically to grow to around 15cm tall.
- Griffin Weeping grass is incredibly shade tolerant. It can grow in direct sunlight and/or little to no direct sunlight.
- It has high drought tolerance, medium salt tolerance, high frost tolerance.
- This grass also grows on a range of soils but prefers a pH level of slightly acidic.
Unfortunately due to quarantine restrictions this product mix is not available to Western Australia.
Mix updated 07/06/21
TOLERANCES
- High drought
- High heat
- High acidic soil
- High frost
SOW RATE
1-3kg per 100m2
Can grow across a range of pH levels from acidic to moderate alkaline, and most soil types from sandy to varying levels of clay.
BEST TIME TO SOW
With Irrigation – All year round
Without irrigation – Best sown in autumn to spring
For our straightforward guide on how to sow native grass seeds check out our
Our seed mixes all include vermiculite, a commonly used product in the horticultural sector in its exfoliated form. There are a few reasons we mix our seeds with vermiculite:
- Native grasses come in all shapes and sizes which generally makes them harder to mix and distribute evenly. Vermiculite is a proven method for creating consistent mix that is substantially easier to sow. It is also ideal for the germination of seeds because its water holding capacity makes it a excellent medium for direct contact with the seeds, creating a humid micro climate around the emerging seedlings preventing scorching or drying out.
- It is also a great soil improver due to its aeration properties. This increases your soil structure and gives your seedlings a helping hand to have good root growth and its exchange properties can absorb excess nutrients and release them slowly to the plants via the finest root hair
