European Beachgrass
Calamagrostis arenaria
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Corse, Cyprus, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Ireland, Italy, Kriti, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Hans Hillewaert
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Calamagrostis
- Species:
- Calamagrostis arenaria
- USDA Symbol:
- AMAR4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, erosion control
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained
- pH:
- 4.5 - 7.5 (acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in coastal sand dunes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Light enhances germination. Seeds benefit from cool-moist conditions followed by warm temperatures.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI