Description

Sweet Vernal Grass | Anthoxanthum odoratum

Also known as vanilla grass.

Sweet vernal grass is a fragrant, perennial grass known for its sweet scent and delicate, slender appearance. Growing to about 30-50 cm tall, it blooms in late spring to early summer, producing small, spike-like flowers.

Common across the UK, it thrives in a variety of soils, particularly in meadows and pastures. Sweet vernal grass is valued for its high palatability and its inclusion in hay and grazing mixtures. It’s drought-tolerant, hardy in winter, and can improve the overall quality of pasture blends, offering early-season growth and a pleasant fragrance.