05/06/2026
One of the prettiest things in my cutting garden isn’t a flower at all…
It’s Briza maxima, or Greater Quaking Grass, with its delicate dangling seed heads that tremble and move in the slightest breeze. At this time of year, I love tucking a few stems into bouquets as a final flourish, just to bring in a bit of movement, texture and a soft sparkle amongst the flowers.
Greater Quaking Grass came to Britain from the Mediterranean centuries ago, and has been grown in gardens here since at least the early 1600s.
Over the years it’s picked up a lovely jumble of old country names like Totter Grass, Toddling Grass, and here in Yorkshire, “Trembling Jockeys” 💕
It’s often the last stem I add to a bouquet.
For me, it’s the small details tucked between the flowers that really make a bouquet feel complete…
Esther x
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