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.
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
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.
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.
Best known for its heavy, arched seed heads that resemble cultivated rye or wheat, this cool-season bunchgrass adds a graceful "nodding" movement to any landscape.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Needs Medium-Low (Very Adaptable)
Soil Type Versatile; thrives in Sand, Loam, or Clay
Mature Height 4 to 5 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate - High
Bloom Time July – October
Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet
Canada Wild Rye is prized for its rapid growth and its ability to provide beauty even in the very first year of planting.
Distinctive Seed Heads: By mid-summer, the plant produces large, bristly spikes that curve downward under their own weight and creates a "nodding" movement to the grasses. The seed heads remain intact well into the winter, turning from green into a soft-tan.
Fast Establisher: Unlike some native grasses that take years to mature, Canada Wild Rye grows quickly. It is often used as a "nurse grass" to stabilize soil while slower perennials get established.
Versatile & Adaptable: It is remarkably unfussy about soil, thriving in everything from sandy loams to heavy clay, and can handle both moist and dry conditions.
Larval Host: It serves as a host plant for many Skipper butterflies and various species of moths.
Winter Bird Buffet: The seeds are a favorite for wild turkeys, sparrows and various songbirds during the winter months.
Superior Cover: The dense, clump-forming foliage provides excellent nesting habitat for ground-nesting birds and protection for small wildlife.
Pro Tip: Canada Wild Rye is a relatively short-lived perennial (usually 3–5 years), but it gracefully self-seeds. Allow the seed heads to drop in autumn to ensure a beautiful, self-sustaining stand for years to come.
This compact cool-season bunchgrass is one of the earliest to bloom, and thrives in tough, dry spots making it ideal for structured garden borders or rock gardens.
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Water Needs Low (Drought Tolerant after established, thrives in dry soil)
Soil Type Loam, Sand, Gravelly, or Well-drained Poor Soils
Mature Height 2 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time June – July
Plant Spacing 10 – 12 inches
Early Season Interest: While many native grasses don't peak until autumn, June Grass reaches its full glory in early summer. It produces dense, plumes of silvery-green seed heads that transition to tan by mid summer. Foliage is an attractive green-gray.
Compact & Tidy: Reaching only about 1 to 2 feet in height, it is an excellent "front-of-the-border" plant. It stays in a neat, upright clump and does not flop, making it perfect for smaller suburban landscapes.
Drought Powerhouse: This is one of the most drought-tolerant native grasses available. Once established, it requires almost no supplemental watering, even in the heat of mid-summer.
Pollinator Support: It serves as a larval host plant for several species of Skipper butterflies.
Songbird Food: The small, dense seeds are a valuable food source for finches, sparrows and other small songbirds in the late spring-summer months.
Pro Tip: For visual impact, plant June Grass in "drifts" or groups of 3–5. The silver-green tint of the blades creates a beautiful contrast when paired with dark-leafed plants or vibrant wildflowers like Coneflowers and Black-eyed Susans.
A plant steeped in history and cherished for its scent, Sweet Grass is one of the most beloved native grasses in North America. Its name comes from the sweet, vanilla-like fragrance produced by the coumarin in its leaves, which becomes especially potent when the grass is dried or crushed. Many North American indigenous cultures burn Sweet Grass in ceremonies to invite the presence of good spirits.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs High; prefers consistently moist to wet soil.
Soil Type rich Muck, moist Clay, Loam or Sandy soils; thrives near water sources.
Mature Height 1 – 2 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time May – July
Plant Spacing 1 – 2 feet (Spreads to fill gaps).
Signature Scent: Unlike most grasses, Sweet Grass produces a sweet aroma when rubbing the leaves.
Wet Ground Solution: It is a perfect choice for the edges of ponds, low-lying areas of the yard, or rain gardens.
Aggressive spreader: Can be difficult to eliminate if it spreads to unwanted areas. Spreads by rhizomes. Pick a planting site with this in mind.
Early Season Growth: As a cool-season grass, it provides early green-up and cover for wildlife emerging in the spring.
Habitat: While wind-pollinated, the dense mats provide essential shelter for ground-nesting beneficial insects.
Pro Tip: To harvest for scent, wait until the blades are long and vibrant in mid-summer. Cut the grass, let it wilt slightly, and then braid it while it is still flexible. As it dries, the braid will hold its sweet, vanilla-like fragrance for months!