Plant Highlights

Bottlebrush Squirreltail is a bunching perennial grass true to its name, with tiers of hairy tufts fanning out in all directions from the ends of its stalks. A type of wild ryegrass, it grows in dry, open areas, co-existing well with Sagebrush (Artemsia) along with other grasses like Purple Needlegrass (Nassella pulchra), Nodding Needlegrass (N. cernua), and Foothill Needlegrass (N. lepida). Bottlebrush Squirreltail’s native habitat ranges from Mexico up through the West Coast of the United States, and ventures about midway across the continent. This hardy grass prefers full sun and dry, gravelly soil, needing little supplemental water and reaching an approximate height of 1’ to 1.5’. Bottlebrush Squirreltail is drought tolerant and an excellent choice for erosion control. E. elymoides can readily adapt to many types of soil, from clay to loam to sand, and is especially tolerant of salty and alkaline soils. This grass is primarily grown for restoration purposes.