Species Aleut Brome
green spikelets with green leaves and stems

Aleut Brome

Bromus sitchensis var. aleutensis

Aleut Brome is a plant species native to coastal areas of Alaska and British Columbia. It has a high tolerance for salt spray and grows in sand dunes, rocky crevices, and disturbed areas such as roadsides and abandoned sites. This vigorous grass is a perennial, reproducing from seed, and forms tufts of erect stems with a basal clump of curled leaves. Its gray-green stems can reach three feet in height and produce a seed head of six to ten spikelets and awns. It is drought-tolerant and can grow on infertile soils, making it a valuable food for wildlife and an important member of the coastal ecosystem.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Clonal Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Aleut Brome should be watered regularly to ensure optimal health and growth. Water the plant when the top 2-3" of soil has dried out, about once a week during the growing season and every 2 weeks when it is dormant. Too much water can lead to root rot so water only when necessary and avoid getting any foliage wet. Be sure to use lukewarm water when watering to reduce the risk of shock to the plant.

sunlight

Aleut Brome(Bromus sitchensis var. aleutensis) thrives in sunny areas with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In the summer, plants should be grown in full sun, while during the winter, they may benefit from some protection from strong midday sun, such as using shade cloth or an evergreen tree. This plant species can also tolerate partial shade, but increased exposure to direct sunlight will produce the best growth and flower displays.

pruning

Aleut Brome should be pruned in late spring, before it flowers, to enable the plant to focus its energy on new growth. Prune by cutting back the stems to a height of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm). Remove any dead or damaged stems and dispose of them away from the plant. Pruning encourages the presence of new, healthy growth and can help prevent certain diseases from occurring. Pruning should be done yearly if desired, as more drastic cutting of this plant may cause it to become floppy or leggy.