Hystrix patula
Bottle brush grass
- Height × spread
- 1m × 0.5m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A plant of the North American woods which likes some moisture but can take quite dry shady conditions with not too much winter wet. It forms upright open clumps which it has to be said look rather ordinary until the flower heads appear which give it distinction. The flower heads are upright, going up to 1.2 metres, and are spangly and bristled, giving an intriguing effect. They are coloured green but often carry some pink tints. They resemble small economy bristled brushes and thus look infinitely useful "for those awkward corners". Good for flower arranging and can be allowed to naturalize in shady wild areas.
- Flower colour
- Green, Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Shady court
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.