Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix)

from $8.00
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This native, cool-season grass is famous for its distinctive flower spikes that appear in mid-summer, resembling bristly brushes.Bottlebrush Grass is a shade-loving champion. It is one of the few native grasses that will happily illuminate the darker corners of your yard, providing vertical interest and a cool, "forest-floor" aesthetic.

Plant Profile

  • Sun Exposure: partial shade to full shade

  • Water Needs: low to moderate; quite drought-tolerant once established.

  • Soil Type: adaptable; thrives in rocky, loam, or dry clay soils.

  • Mature Height: 2 – 4 feet (including flower spikes)

  • Deer Resistance: high

  • Bloom Time: June – August

  • Plant Spacing: 12 – 18 inches

Plant Characteristics

  • Dry Shade Solution: One of the best plants for the "difficult" dry shade found under large trees where little else will grow.

  • Winter Interest: The seed heads remain attractive long after the growing season ends, standing tall through the frost and light snow.

Wildlife Benefits

  • Larval Host: This grass serves as a vital nursery for the Northern Pearly-eye butterfly.

  • Bird Forage: In late fall and winter, the seeds are a high-energy food source for small ground-feeding songbirds like juncos and sparrows.

  • Shelter: The tufted, bunch-forming habit provides excellent nesting material and cover for beneficial insects and small wildlife.

Pro Tip: For a stunning visual effect, plant Bottlebrush Grass in small clusters.

Size:

This native, cool-season grass is famous for its distinctive flower spikes that appear in mid-summer, resembling bristly brushes.Bottlebrush Grass is a shade-loving champion. It is one of the few native grasses that will happily illuminate the darker corners of your yard, providing vertical interest and a cool, "forest-floor" aesthetic.

Plant Profile

  • Sun Exposure: partial shade to full shade

  • Water Needs: low to moderate; quite drought-tolerant once established.

  • Soil Type: adaptable; thrives in rocky, loam, or dry clay soils.

  • Mature Height: 2 – 4 feet (including flower spikes)

  • Deer Resistance: high

  • Bloom Time: June – August

  • Plant Spacing: 12 – 18 inches

Plant Characteristics

  • Dry Shade Solution: One of the best plants for the "difficult" dry shade found under large trees where little else will grow.

  • Winter Interest: The seed heads remain attractive long after the growing season ends, standing tall through the frost and light snow.

Wildlife Benefits

  • Larval Host: This grass serves as a vital nursery for the Northern Pearly-eye butterfly.

  • Bird Forage: In late fall and winter, the seeds are a high-energy food source for small ground-feeding songbirds like juncos and sparrows.

  • Shelter: The tufted, bunch-forming habit provides excellent nesting material and cover for beneficial insects and small wildlife.

Pro Tip: For a stunning visual effect, plant Bottlebrush Grass in small clusters.