Species Richardson's Brome
rose-gold spikelets

Richardson's Brome

Bromus richardsonii

Richardson's Brome (Bromus richardsonii) is a species of grass native to North America. It is a perennial bunchgrass with a erect, clumpy form. Its leaves are blue-green in color and can reach 10-20 centimeters long. The inflorescences are 5-15 centimeters long and are widely bristle-fringed, yellow to purple in color. Blooms typically appear June-September and are a popular source of food for livestock. This species is found in grasslands, prairies, and wooded ravines. Richardson's Brome is a valuable species for animal habitats and forage, which requires little care and is mostly drought tolerant.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Richardson's Brome requires frequent, shallow waterings. Water the plant deeply when needed but do not let the soil become soggy. Watering frequency will depend on the climate and the season; plants should be watered about twice a week during the growing season (spring and summer), and once every 2 weeks during the dormant season (fall and winter). Monitor the soil moisture in order to adjust the watering frequency accordingly; do not water if the soil is already wet. Generally, during periods of drought, the plant may require more frequent watering.

sunlight

Richardson's Brome (Bromus richardsonii) is a plant species that thrives best in full sunlight. It prefers 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day when grown outdoors. The best time to give the plant sunlight is during the midday hours, when direct sunlight is the strongest. This is when the plant absorbs the most energy from the sun to help it flourish. It is best to avoid planting Richardson's Brome near tall trees or any other plant that can block the sun, as this can limit the amount of direct sunlight the plant receives. Too much shade can lead to decreased growth, fewer flowers, and weakened plants.

pruning

Richardson’s Brome (Bromus richardsonii) should be pruned in late spring or early summer. Depending on how quickly the plants have grown and what your goals are with the brome, you may need to prune it multiple times for optimal growth, health, and aesthetics. To prune Richardson’s Brome, simply cut off any dead or damaged stems with sharp gardening shears. If you are looking to keep the brome at a certain size, remove the top inch or 2 of growth. If the plant is growing too wide or too tall, feel free to shape it by removing any excess stems as needed. Whenever pruning, make sure you are cutting at the base of the stem where it meets the ground.