Foxtail Barley (Hordeum Jubatum)

Hordeum jubatum Foxtail Barley / Squirrel-Tail Grass

Silky nodding plumes that look like squirrels' tails — emerging with a beautiful pinkish-purple iridescent sheen and fading to soft golden beige as summer progresses. Foxtail Barley is the ornamental grass that catches summer light like almost nothing else, glowing magically when backlit by low evening sun and providing the airy meadow-style movement every rigid planting needs.

This is the ornamental grass that genuinely earns its name — each plume looks remarkably like a soft, silky squirrel tail, with long delicate bristles (botanically called "awns") arranged in fluffy nodding heads. The colour journey is part of the appeal: plumes emerge in pale green tinged with pinkish-purple iridescent shimmer, deepen through summer to dusky rose, and mature finally to a warm golden beige in autumn. The whole effect is unmistakably about light — when planted where the rising or setting sun can backlight the plumes, the long silky awns glow with an almost-halo effect that is among the most photogenic moments in any summer garden. Short-lived perennial typically grown as a hardy annual (H4 hardiness — surviving most UK winters, but the first year is the most vigorous and iridescent). Fast-growing, flowering in just 12–14 weeks from sowing. Height 45–60cm.

A note on growing

Foxtail Barley is straightforward from seed. Sow indoors February–April or directly outdoors April/May once soil has warmed. Surface-sow with only a very fine sprinkling of vermiculite (light helps trigger germination). Maintain 15–20°C; germination 14–21 days. Plant out into full sun in dry, sandy or stony soil — Foxtail Barley strongly dislikes sitting in cold wet clay over winter. Gravel gardens, rockeries and hot south-facing borders are ideal. No additional feeding required.

For dried use: harvest stems as soon as they emerge and before they begin to turn gold — this prevents the heads from shattering once dried. The pinkish-purple iridescent stage is the most beautiful for drying.

Where it shines

Anywhere catching low-angle morning or evening light — the iridescent pink-purple bristles glow when backlit, transforming a corner of the garden into something genuinely photogenic. In gravel gardens, rockeries and Mediterranean-style plantings where the drought-tolerance suits the conditions. As a "softener" in front of heavy or blocky planting (Dahlias, Zinnias, Echinacea) — the airy plumes create a veil that makes rigid plantings look more natural and romantic. As a fast-growing gap-filler in new borders where it provides texture and movement in the first season. As a florist's dream cut flower — adds a professional meadow-style finish to bouquets. As one of the finest dried grasses for everlasting arrangements.

Plant alongside

In prairie-style planting, pair Foxtail Barley with Echinacea 'Bravado' (soft barley plumes pick up the rosy tones of Echinacea petals while softening the rigid coneflower stems) — a verified high-impact combination. For modern cottage cutting, plant alongside Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue' (blue spheres against pink-purple plumes) and Bunny Tails (matching grass-with-soft-texture). For movement contrast in rigid borders, combine with the architectural form of Verbena bonariensis.