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Bottle Brush Grass Elymus hystrix

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
EL-ih-mus HIS-triks
Description

Ornamental grass with interesting seed heads.  Found in dry forests especially over more fertile soils in the north, central and eastern United States. This grass may become dormant during the heat of summer; in addition, is a wonderful plant for woodland shaded conditions that self-sows but non-aggressive. 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. bigelovianus
    high elevation forests
  • var. hystrix
    moist forests
var. bigelovianus, var. hystrix
Tags:
#rain garden#NC native#food source summer#food source herbage#piedmont mountains UPL#coastal UPL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#Audubon#wildlife friendly
 
Elymus hystrix 2
Elymus hystrix 2 Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0
Elymus hystrix
Elymus hystrix Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0
Elymus hystrix leaves
Elymus hystrix leaves Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0
Elymus hystrix seed heads
Elymus hystrix seed heads Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0
Wild Form
Flowers and stems Hope Duckworth CC BY 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. bigelovianus
    high elevation forests
  • var. hystrix
    moist forests
var. bigelovianus, var. hystrix
Tags:
#rain garden#NC native#food source summer#food source herbage#piedmont mountains UPL#coastal UPL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#Audubon#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Elymus
    Species:
    hystrix
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North, Central and Eastern U.S.A
    Wildlife Value:
    Seeds attract birds.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Drought tolerant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit displays from July to September.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers bloom from May to July.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Garden for the Blind
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Heavy Shade
    Pollution