Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix)

Difficulty: ⭐☆☆☆☆

Seed Collection Time:

Late July through September — seeds mature after flowering in early to mid-summer.

Signs seeds are ready:

• The bottlebrush-like seed head turns from green to tan/brown.

• Seeds (spikelets) feel firm and detach easily when gently pulled.

• The awns remain but the seeds inside will loosen as they ripen.

Seed collection steps:

• Clip mature seed heads when they begin to dry and seeds come off with slight pressure.

• Place in a paper bag and allow to finish drying for 1–2 weeks in a cool, dry place.

• Rub the seed heads between your hands or against a fine screen to release seeds.

Germination tip:

• Seeds germinate best after cold-moist stratification for 30–60 days.

• Sow in fall for natural stratification or refrigerate seeds in moist sand before spring sowing.

• Plant ¼" deep; germination usually occurs in 2–4 weeks after stratification.