Redtop

Agrostis gigantea

Native to:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Agrostis
Species:
Agrostis gigantea
USDA Symbol:
AGGI2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
120 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:
★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), false wainscot (Leucania pseudargyria), topiary grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia topiaria), Trichordestra lilacina, Virginia Ctenucha (Ctenucha virginica), Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, fertile, well-drained loam
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Thrives in disturbed areas and wetlands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Germinates readily at cool temperatures with adequate moisture and light exposure.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI