How to Grow and Care for Melics

Silky-spike melic is a species of grass well-known for its spikes adorned with silky flowers. This clump-forming grass is a popular ornamental and is ideally suited to a small or gravel garden.

A clumping perennial grass, rough melic has been given the species name scabrosa, meaning "rough," due to the scratchy texture of its flowers and seed heads. It is a host plant for brown leaf spot fungus, which is a concern as it could jump to cultivated plants if it grows near them. Unlike most grasses, its small, papery flowers are purple instead of dull brown.

Wood melick is a showy ornamental perennial grass that is utilized in cottage gardens for borders and edging, usually blooming during the summer. Wood melick is noted for slowly growing in clumps.

Mountain melick is often used in containers and city gardens. It is a deciduous perennial grass that grows naturally in shaded areas at elevation. This grass has a spreading nature and is easy to care for.

Smallflower melicgrass (Melica imperfecta) is a perennial bunchgrass found in parts of North America, including Nevada, Arizona, California, and Baja California. It is occasionally cultivated ornamentally for natural landscape or habitat gardens. Smallflower melicgrass tolerates drought well. If given enough water it will remain green, but if not it will yellow at the height of summer.