Plant Details

Elymus hystrix

Bottlebrush Grass

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Spike-like flowers bloom in late summer to early autumn; seedheads resemble a bottle brush and offer interesting texture in the garden.

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Description:

Narrow green blades of Bottlebrush grass grow in loose upright clumps in partial shade. Spike-like flowers bloom on stalks that rise above the foliage. Late summer to early autumn seedheads resemble a bottle brush or hedgehog quill and provide ornamental interest. Bottlebrush grass offers an interesting texture among flowering perennials in the garden setting. Pair with other part-shade loving plants that like semi-dry soil including Woodland Agrimony (Agrimonia striata), White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata), Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata), Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta), Purple Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum), Zig-zag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) and Big Leaf Aster (Aster macrophyllus). Blend with Indian Wood Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) for additional interesting texture. This hardy native can withstand a variety of challenging conditions including heavy clay, full shade, alkaline soil and drought, although it perfroms best in part-shade with slightly moist soil. Easily grows from seed and will self-sow. Plant in clumps or allow it to naturalize along your woodland edge.

Wildlife Value: Birds value the foliage for cover, eat the seeds and use the leaves as nesting material. Host plant for caterpillars of Northern Pearly Eye butterfly (Enodia anthedon).

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