Canary Grass (Phalaris aquatica) — Long-Term Game Cover for Pheasants, Partridges & Farmland Birds
Originally native to the Mediterranean region, Canary Grass has been cultivated in the UK for many years — first for its distinctive yellowish seed, and more recently as a long-term game cover crop. Unlike annual cover species that die back and become brittle over winter, Canary Grass maintains dense, leafy cover throughout the coldest months, making it one of the most reliable perennial options for shoots looking to reduce the burden of annual replanting.
What It’s Used For
Canary Grass is grown primarily as game cover, providing holding, nesting, and driving cover for pheasants and partridges. It also benefits a range of farmland birds including Linnets and Wrens, making it a useful species for shoots with a broader interest in farmland bird conservation.
How Long Will It Last?
In game cover situations, Canary Grass typically persists for 5–7 years — a significant advantage over annual species that require replanting each season.
Key Strengths
- Dense, persistent winter cover — stout culms and leafy growth hold up well after frost, unlike Maize which becomes brittle
- Long-term persistence of 5–7 years, reducing the need for annual establishment
- Beneficial to a wide range of game and farmland bird species
- Provides cover for nesting, holding, and driving
Frost Tolerance
The stout culms and leafy growth habit provide good cover even after winter frosts — a key advantage over more brittle annual alternatives.
Sowing Rate
- Pure stand: 2.5–3 kg/acre (6.25–7.5 kg/ha)
- Drill in wide rows (60–90 cm) to prevent the cover becoming overly thick and impenetrable
- Normally sown as a pure stand, though it can be combined with a long-term tussocky grass margin mix
When to Sow
Start sowing in spring from mid-April through to May. Note that Canary Grass is notably slow to establish in its first year — a short-term cover crop is recommended to provide cover during the first season while the Canary Grass gets established.
Establishment Tips
To bridge the first-year establishment gap, a short-term annual species like Mustard can be broadcast directly after sowing and rolled in together. Alternatively, a cereal such as Wheat or Barley can be drilled before sowing the Canary Grass seed. Keep nurse crop seed rates low to avoid competition.
Management
Game crops may need topping annually after the season ends. If the cover becomes too thick and impenetrable over time, remedial action — such as selective topping or thinning — may be required to maintain its value for game.
Identifying the Crop
Seed: Rounded to oval, pointed at both ends, with a beige colour and a very smooth, shiny texture. Approximately 3 mm in length.
Mature plant: Green, hairless leaves that are rough to the touch, tapering to a narrow fine point. Ligules are long and membranous (up to 8 mm). Nodes are a distinctive greenish-white colour. The densely packed, ovoid panicles are oblong to almost spike-like (1.5–6 cm long), with glumes identifiable by a dark green stripe running from base to tip. Creeping growth habit. Can reach 1.5 metres in height. Flowers June–September.
A Brief History
Canary Grass is a native of the Mediterranean region and is now grown commercially in several parts of the world, primarily for birdseed. Its value as a game cover crop has grown significantly in the UK as shoots have sought longer-lasting alternatives to annual species.
Works Well With
Canary Grass pairs well with short-term nurse crops during establishment. For longer-term combinations, it can be included alongside traditional tussocky grass margin mixes to add structural diversity to the cover.
Looking for Game Cover Seeds?
Browse our range of game cover options — from long-term perennial cover to proven annual maize varieties: