Elymus hystrix

Sizes available: HPP #1, 2 plants per pot

Basics: zones 3-8, 3' x 12-18", part sun to part shade, summer bloom in a delicate bottlebrush silhouette, likes medium to medium/dry soils, is drought tolerant once established and is not picky as to soil type. Does not do well in full shade.

Synonym: Hystrix patula

Common names: Bottlebrush Grass

Family: Poaceae

Origin/Distribution: eastern and central U.S. and eastern Canada, native to Maine

Habitat: dry, open woodlands, also forest edges, and rocky and damp partial shade

More: Elymus hystrix is the larval host for the Northern Pearly Eye (Enodia anthedon), which is native to Maine. Small mammals and birds eat the seeds. It is juglone tolerant and deer resistant. A lovely taller texture for a woodland setting, especially backlit, the attractive seedheads make a nice addition to a bouquet, will self-sow if happy, may go dormant in very hot summers. There is a very interesting entry in Wikipedia about exploring E. hystrix as livestock fodder, or if domesticated by breeding for enlarged seedheads and nutritional value, a grain for human consumption. Fun fact: Spellcheck likes to correct Elymus hystrix to Olympus hysteria, every...single...time...

Nursery: Landscape plugs from New Moon, grown on by Honey Petal Plants

Image credit: Kathleen Moore through Creative Commons via North Carolina Extension Gardeners Plant Toolbox