General Culture:
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Adapts to wide range of soil conditions including heavy clay. Easily grown from seed and will readily self seed in the garden under optimum growing conditions.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Bottle brush grass is a Missouri native perennial grass which occurs in dry woodland areas throughout the State. Forms loose upright tufts of narrow-bladed, rough-textured, medium green leaves (to 12" long). Greenish, bristly flower heads (9-10" long) rise well above the foliage in summer, maturing to brown in late summer and persisting on the plant well into autumn. Flower heads resemble bottle brushes and are the best ornamental feature of this grass, particularly when backlit. Hystrix in Greek means hedgehog (porcupine) in reference to the supposed resemblance of the seed head bristles to the hedgehog quills.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses:
Plant in clumps, mass or naturalize in a lightly-shaded woodland setting, native plant garden or naturalized area.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
(0 ratings) --- 