Holcus mollis 'Jack Daws' Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaDescription, History & Interesting Facts:

Holcus has 8 species of perennials which belong to the grass family (Gramineae/Poaceae). It originates from the woodland and grassland areas of Europe, North Africa and western Asia. These grasses do the majority of their growing in early spring and start again when temperatures start to cool down in late summer and autumn. During the warmer summer months, they stop growing and some will even go dormant. Most cool season grasses also grow best in a consistently moist soil.

Because these little grasses struggle through our hot and often dry summers, they have become less popular than they once were, and Holcus mollis 'Albovariegatus' is no longer freely available, but I have left it in my plant index for identification purposes, as you will still find them growing in many older gardens.

 Holcus mollis 'Albovariegatus' is the smallest, softest little creeping grass, with deep green leaves which are broadly margined in creamy-white. It will grow moderately to 15 to 20cm tall and spread 30 to 60cm wide. In summer it produces pale green or pinkish flowering panicles, which turn beige with age.

In many countries around the world the most damaging invasive plant species are grasses. However, the status of exotic grass invasions in South Africa has not been widely documented. As responsible gardeners I believe we should be extremely cautious when selecting exotic ornamental grasses for our gardens.

Although they are easily removed, Holcus can become invasive, especially in moist soils, and species like Holcus lanatus, a long-lived tufted perennial grass which grows up to 1 m tall, has widely naturalised itself in many countries, including southern Africa, tropical Asia, La Réunion, New Zealand, Hawaii, the USA, Canada, Central America and South America. In these regions it has become a weed of pastures, open woodlands, grasslands, watercourses, swamps, wetlands, crops, roadsides, disturbed sites, and waste areas.  Holcus mollis 'Albovariegatus' is not as invasive and is not classified as an invasive plant in SA but perhaps it is a good thing that this lovely little grass is no longer widely planted in South African gardens.

In the Garden:

Creeping velvet grass is a low-growing perennial which forms a creeping mat and enjoys growing in cool, slightly damp places in the garden. It can even be mown, and makes a pretty lawn or groundcover for shady areas. It is also a lovely edging plant for the shady border and great for rock gardens. It will even grow in little cracks in paving and walls etc. clinging on and slowly spreading, as long as there is sufficient moisture.

Cultivation/Propagation:

This little grass performs best in regions with cool summers and adequate rainfall, thriving both inland and at the coast. In hot regions the clumps will look untidy in summer and will need to be cut right back. It can also survive extremely cold winters; in temperate climates it is evergreen, and in cool to cold climates it is semi-evergreen or dormant in winter.

It prefers light, poor to moderately fertile soil which is moist, yet well-drained, but will adapt to most garden soils, including acidic and chalky alkaline ones. It can be planted in semi-shade to sun, but on poor soil it does best in semi-shade. Water regularly during hot, dry weather.

The best foliage is seen on young growth, so it benefits from the occasional hard trim; and the clumps are easily divided in spring or autumn. The foliage often deteriorates in colour once the flowers appear, so it is best to cut these off.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

It does not suffer from any serious insect or disease problems, but has some susceptibility to rust.