Hoary Brome: A Lesser-Known Native Grass Worth Considering
If you’ve ever wondered about the quieter members of the native plant community, let me introduce you to hoary brome (Bromus subvelutinus). This perennial grass might not be the flashiest plant in your garden center, but it represents something special in the world of native gardening – a true native species that calls the American West home.
What Makes Hoary Brome Special?
Hoary brome is a perennial grass native to the western United States. Unlike some of its more notorious cousins in the Bromus family (looking at you, cheatgrass), this species evolved right here in North America and has been quietly doing its job in western ecosystems for thousands of years.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
This native grass has made its home across four western states: California, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. It’s adapted to the unique conditions of the western landscape, from coastal regions to inland valleys and foothills.
The Challenge of Growing Lesser-Known Natives
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit challenging. Hoary brome falls into that category of native plants that haven’t received much attention from researchers or nurseries. While we know it’s native and perennial, specific information about its growing requirements, appearance, and garden performance is surprisingly limited.
This isn’t uncommon in the native plant world. Many of our indigenous species remain understudied, especially grasses that don’t have showy flowers or obvious economic value.
Should You Plant Hoary Brome?
The honest answer? It depends on your goals and your willingness to experiment. Here are some considerations:
- For restoration projects: If you’re working on habitat restoration in its native range, this grass could be valuable for creating authentic plant communities
- For adventurous gardeners: If you love trying lesser-known natives and don’t mind some uncertainty, it could be an interesting addition
- For beginners: You might want to start with better-documented native grasses first
The Reality of Growing Unknown Quantities
Without detailed growing information, you’d essentially be conducting your own garden experiment. Based on its native range, hoary brome likely prefers:
- Well-draining soils
- Full sun to partial shade
- Low to moderate water once established
- USDA hardiness zones roughly 5-9 (estimated from native range)
Better-Documented Native Grass Alternatives
If you’re drawn to the idea of native grasses but want more predictable results, consider these well-researched western natives:
- Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)
- Buffalo grass (Poaceae dactyloides)
- Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis)
- Purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra) – California’s state grass
The Bigger Picture
Hoary brome represents something important in native gardening: the vast number of indigenous plants that deserve our attention and study. While we can’t recommend it wholeheartedly due to limited growing information, it reminds us that there’s still so much to discover about our native flora.
If you’re interested in lesser-known natives, consider connecting with local native plant societies, botanical gardens, or university extension programs. They often have the most current information about regional species and may even be conducting research on plants like hoary brome.
The Bottom Line
Bromus subvelutinus is a legitimate native species that deserves recognition, but it’s not the easiest choice for most gardeners. If you encounter it in restoration seed mixes or specialized native plant sales, you can feel good knowing it belongs in western landscapes. For most gardening situations, however, you’ll probably have better success with its better-documented native cousins.
Sometimes the most honest thing a gardening expert can say is we need to learn more – and hoary brome is a perfect example of why continued research into our native plants matters.
