Source: Donna Bos
Elymus hystrix
Bottlebrush Grass
Élyme étalé
Obsolete Names
eastern bottlebrush grass
glumeless wildrye
gymnostique hérisson
hystrix étalé
Seeds available at table Shade
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Green
Bloom period: Jun - Aug
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 1.5 feet
Light condition:
Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for woodland gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Tolerates foot traffic
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for woodland gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates foot traffic
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates foot traffic
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Thrives in Ecozones
- Boreal Shield
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Elymus hystrix
No butterfly data available for this plant.
Specialized Bees Supported by Elymus hystrix
No bee data available for this plant.
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.
Complementary Plants
- Aquilegia canadensis
Red Columbine
Ancolie du Canada - Cryptotaenia canadensis
Canada Honewort
Cryptoténie du Canada - Geranium maculatum
Wild Geranium
Géranium maculé - Osmorhiza longistylis
Smooth Sweet Cicely
Osmorhize à long style - Thalictrum pubescens
Tall Meadow-rue
Pigamon pubescent
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Miscanthus (Silvergrass)
- Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass)
- Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain Grass)
Sowing Information
Download Sowing Label (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
- Sow anytime
- Stratification duration: 0 days
- Self-seeding
- Notes: Can be sown in late spring in warm soil.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: August
- Harvesting indicator: Seeds easily fall off when you gently pull them off
- Harvesting mean: Use hand to detach from main stem
- Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: A dozen (12) seeds (eyeball)
- Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- Harvesting video: Watch here
Toxicity Notes
Inadequate information on toxicity if ingested but the seeds can become foreign bodies in the eyes, toes, ears etc of pets.