Description
Hordeum – Barley –
There are about 20 species of annuals and perennial grasses (including the cereal crop, barley), in this genus. They occur on disturbed ground in temperate regions of both hemisphere. They have linear, flat or rolled, light to mid green or blue green leaves. Dense, narrow cylindrical, occasionally flattened, spike like panicles, with long bristled spikelets, are borne in 2 ranks. The flowers of many species are useful for dried flower arrangements. Use in an annual, mixed or herbaceous border, or in a wild garden. May become invasive.
Grow in well drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Cut flowers for drying before fully mature.
Prone to fungal diseases and bacterial diseases.
H. hystrix – Mediterranean Barley – This densely tufted or solitary, annual grass from the Mediterranean and Central Asia grows 16″ tall and 12″ wide. It produces erect or arching, linear, flat, downy, mid green leaves, to 3″ long. In early and mid summer it bears panicles, to 2 ½” long, of stiff, gray-green spikelets, often flushed with purple.
Zones
