Species bottlebrush grass
green-yellow foliage and stems

bottlebrush grass

Elymus hystrix

Bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) is an amazing species to add to your garden. It is extremely hardy and can survive in both dry and wet soils. Its foliage is lush and arching, with strong stems and foliage that can grow up to a foot tall. Its foliage forms a dense clump that is an attractive addition to any landscape. In the summer, it is topped with stunning purplish-brown flower spikes giving the area a unique pop of color and texture. This beautiful grass is also a drought-tolerant species, requiring minimal care and maintenance and it’s also deer-resistant. With all these great features, bottlebrush grass is the perfect choice for a low-maintenance, attractive addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Green maturing to brown Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Bottlebrush grass should be watered once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. If it is hot and dry out, water more often; if it is cooler and wet, water less often. The amount of water should be generous and should soak the soil to a depth of 6 inches (about 15 cm). This will encourage deep root growth and ensure the plant has enough water for a long time. During hot summer periods, water can evaporate quickly so increase watering frequency to prevent stressful dry spells. Do not water the leaves as that can increase the chance of disease.

sunlight

Bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) prefers full sun and should receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth. This species does best in an area that is sunny and free from shade for the majority of the day. If possible, the grass should be exposed to sunlight throughout the day so that it can photosynthesize and produce essential products necessary for growth and flowering. During the summer months, bottlebrush grass will appreciate additional sunlight and will flower more abundantly with greater exposure. In winter months, however, providing the grass with some shade from the harsh elements can be beneficial.

pruning

Bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) should be pruned in late fall or early spring before it goes dormant. Pruning should not exceed 1 third of the plant's height or the oldest and tallest stems. This helps maintain the size of the grass and encourages new growth. For best results, use sharp shears or hedge clippers and prune only the top parts of the growth. To prevent disease, do not prune toward the center of the plant, but cut the stems off at their base. After pruning, rake away any dried stems and leaves.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Bottlebrush grass typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Starts Flowering

Bottlebrush grass typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Hardiness Map