300 Sweet Vernal Grass Seeds (Anthoxanthum odoratum) Fragrant Ornamental Grass for Garden or Meadow

Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) is a charming, cool-season perennial grass prized for its sweet, hay-like fragrance, especially noticeable when the foliage is dried or crushed. Its compact clumps of bright green leaves and early-season flower spikes add fine texture and a soft, natural look to garden borders, wildflower meadows, and cottage-style plantings. This versatile ornamental grass is also a traditional component of fragrant lawns and dried arrangements.

Easy to grow from seed, Sweet Vernal Grass is an excellent choice for naturalistic landscapes, pollinator-friendly meadows, and low-maintenance ground cover. It performs well in a range of conditions and brings an old-fashioned, meadow-garden appeal to any sunny or partially shaded site.

Plant Features

• Sweet, hay-like fragrance when dried or crushed
• Compact, clump-forming growth habit
• Early spring flower spikes with a delicate appearance
• Adaptable to meadows, borders, and containers
• Low-maintenance perennial grass

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Anthoxanthum odoratum
• Plant Type: Perennial ornamental grass
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, average to moist soil
• Water Requirements: Moderate; keep soil consistently moist during establishment
• Growth Habit: Clump-forming
• Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
• Mature Height: 12 to 24 inches
• Spacing: 12 to 18 inches apart

Planting & Care

Sow Sweet Vernal Grass seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Press seeds lightly into the soil surface; they need light to germinate. Keep the soil evenly moist and maintain a temperature of around 65 to 70°F. Germination typically occurs in 14 to 21 days. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots or directly into the garden after hardening off.

Sweet Vernal Grass thrives in average, well-drained soil and tolerates occasional drought once established. Water regularly during the first growing season to help roots develop. Cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth. This grass self-seeds readily and can naturalize in favorable conditions; deadhead spent flowers if you wish to control spread.

What's Included

300 Sweet Vernal Grass seeds (Anthoxanthum odoratum).