Bromus kalmii

Sizes available: HPP #1, two plants per pot

Basics: zones 3-6, 2-3' x 12", full to part sun, the blooms (spikelets) look like flattened seed heads of wheat and start out slightly bluish-grey in mid to late summer and ripen to tan, this grass is very adaptable and is found in numerous habitats, sometimes on calcareous soils, sandy, or rocky, in both medium-wet to medium-dry conditions, drought tolerant once established.

Common names: Kalm's Brome, Arctic Brome, Prairie Brome

Family: Poaceae

Origin/Distribution: From Maine to Minnesota and South Dakota, south to western Maryland and Iowa, in Canada from Quebec to Manitoba, native to Maine.

Habitat: often associated with Jack Pine, dry sandy and open woods, prairie, savanna, moist meadow, fen (calcareous), rocky banks

More: This is a cool season, short-lived perennial grass that is very adaptable. It is a pretty grass and its shorter stature makes it appealing for an ornamental border. Like all the wonderful native grasses we should be growing more of, it provides much needed shelter and habitat for small mammals and birds. They also enjoy the seeds.

Grasses are important habitat for native bees who use them for nesting material as well as for hibernation and nursery structures. Do not cut your grasses all the way to the ground. If you must, cut back to about knee height and leave the old stems in the clump permanently. The new growth will cover them over in no time and they will eventually rot away. Many bees have a lifecycle longer than one year and they need dependable, consistent habitat to complete their journey. This cutting regime is applicable to other perennials with hollow stems as well: cut back to knee height. It will look as intentional as cutting lower, but offer much richer habitat.

Nursery: seed grown at Honey Petal Plants - seed from Prairie Moon Nursery

Image credits: Dan Barron at Prairie Moon Nursery