Bottle-brush Grass

Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix

A graceful woodland native grass with arching, deep green leaves and distinctive bottlebrush-like seed heads in late summer. It thrives in shaded to partially shaded areas, making it ideal for understory plantings, woodland edges, and naturalized gardens. Known for its adaptability and low maintenance, it adds vertical interest and texture to shady habitats.

Growing Conditions

• Height: 2–4 ft
• Spread: Clumping, slowly forming colonies
• Light: Part shade to full shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerates clay and loam
• Hardiness: Zone 4–8
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Tolerates dry periods once established
• Deer resistant and low-maintenance

Ideal for woodland restoration, shade gardens, naturalized understories, and stabilizing shaded slopes. Performs well in low-light habitats where other grasses struggle.

Ecological Value

• Provides shelter for small woodland wildlife and insects
• Supports pollinators and beneficial insects in shaded ecosystems
• Stabilizes soils in shaded, moist areas
• Adds vertical structure and seasonal interest to native plantings

Larval Host Plant For
Caterpillars of certain native grass-feeding moth species.

Companion Species

• White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata)
• Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
• Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus)
• Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
• Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum)
• Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Planting to Protect
Restoring to Thrive
Origin Native Plants

3.5 inch Pots