Guide to growing garden plants - Parnassia Grass of Parnassus
Parnassia is a hardy perennial that reaches from 20 to 45cm in height.
It blooms in the summer and carries white saucer shaped flowers. It has attractive foliage of heart shaped leaves.
One of the common names for Parnassia is Grass of Parnassus.
How to grow grass of Parnassus
When growing grass of Parnassus from seed it is best to grow outdoors in its final location. The plants like to grow in swampy (or very moist) conditions and are able to grow in a sunny or lightly shaded part of the garden. Ideally the soil should be ever so slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6 to 7) and rich.
The grass of Parnassus seeds should be sown on the surface of flats using fresh seed at the end of summer. The flats should then be sunk into a shady part of the garden. Germination can take from one to six months. Once the Grass of Parnassus seedlings have grown to a stage where they have five leaves they should be transplanted into peat pots and relocated to an area of light shade; the pots should be watered from below. In the autumn the plants can be transplanted into the garden at about 15 to 20cm apart.
Caring for grass of Parnassus - Parnassia
It is easy to look after Grass of Parnassus, they like the soil to be moist or swampy so water regularly. Additionally the plants should be mulched in the spring to keep the plants cool. It is recommended to divide the plants every three or four years to maintain vigour. If you require more grass of Parnassus plants then they can be propagated by division immediately after flowering has finished.