Species Spiked Brome
beige foliage and green-brown stems

Spiked Brome

Bromus racemosus

Also Known As - Bald Brome
Spiked Brome (Bromus racemosus) is a perennial grass species found mainly on barren, sunny hillsides. It has creeping underground rhizomes, and reaches up to 1.5 m in height. Its narrow, upright leaves are greyish-green, and terminate in a central spike bearing the small, inedible flower spikelets. It is a tough, wind tolerant species, often the first to colonise disturbed sites. Spiked Brome is useful for erosion control on sunny slopes, and its rhizomes can be used for specific biome restoration projects.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

watering

Spiked Brome should be watered once or twice per week, depending on the temperature and time of year. In hot summer months, more frequent watering may be necessary. During colder months of the year, it may only need water every 2 weeks. When watering, dampen the soil so that it is moist but not soggy. Always avoid watering the foliage of the plant, since wet foliage can lead to fungal diseases. Make sure to water the soil deeply, so that the water penetrates to the root zone. In dry spells, increase the frequency and quantity of water.

sunlight

Spiked Brome (Bromus racemosus) prefers direct sunlight to thrive and should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. It also prefers partial sun and shade during the hottest parts of the day, especially during the summer months when the sun is at its peak. During the winter months, provide it with 8-10 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to turn brown and may damage its root systems. When determining how much direct sunlight your Spiked Brome should receive, it is important to consider your location and the time of year.

pruning

Spiked Brome (Bromus racemosus) should be pruned once a year in late summer or early fall, when the plant has finished flowering. The stems should be cut back to about 10-20cm from the ground level. Pruning back the stems will encourage fresh, new growth in the following season. It is also important to remove any dead or dying tissue from the plant, as this can inhibit new growth. Additionally, pruning will keep the plant aesthetically pleasing and prevent it from taking over any potential neighbouring plants.