Species Northern Shorthusk
green leaves with light-green stems

Northern Shorthusk

Brachyelytrum aristosum

Northern Shorthusk (Brachyelytrum aristosum) is a grass-like perennial native to North America. The species has thin, sparsely-branched stems that reach up to 56 inches in height. It produces tiny purple flowers in July and August. With its pale, glossy green foliage and purple flowers, this grass-like plant is an attractive addition to the garden. Northern Shorthusk is tolerant of full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils. It grows best in meadows, fields, and woodland edges, and is deer resistant. This attractive plant should be an essential addition to any native garden.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

brown,tan Fruits Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water Northern Shorthusk weekly but do not over-water. Water when the top inch of soil is dry and provide enough that the water penetrates the soil up to 2-3 inches deep. Make sure the soil drains well between each watering to prevent root rot. To support healthy plant growth, plan to water the Northern Shorthusk twice a week during the growing season, and reduce this amount in the winter.

sunlight

The Northern Shorthusk (Brachyelytrum aristosum) requires full sun or very dense shade in order to thrive. It does best when it receives direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. Ideally, it should receive 8 or more hours of direct sunlight to ensure optimal growth and flowering. It can tolerate some shade during mid-day hours in hot climates, but if it is grown in partial shade for extended periods of time, the plant may suffer from poor flowering and leaf discoloration. This species prefers sunny climates and may struggle in areas where the sunlight is more intermittent.

pruning

Northern Shorthusk (Brachyelytrum aristosum) should be pruned annually in late fall to early winter. For optimal health, pruning should involve removing dead or damaged stems only. This plant species may also benefit from a light shaping trim in early spring, just as new growth begins. Pruning too much in either season can cause stunting of the plant. It is important to remember to sanitize any gardening tools used to prune the plant in between uses. This will help prevent the spread of disease.

Season

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

Northern Shorthusk typically start flowering in June.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Brachyelytrum aristosum (Northern Shorthusk) typically begins in July and ends in August.