Smooth Brome: What You Need to Know About This Non-Native Grass
If you’ve stumbled across the name smooth brome in your gardening research, you might be wondering whether this grass deserves a spot in your landscape. Let’s dig into what we know about this perennial grass and help you make an informed decision for your garden.
The Basics: What is Smooth Brome?
Smooth brome (Bromus inermis inermis var. divaricatus) is a perennial grass that has made itself at home in North America, despite not being a native species. This particular variety is part of the larger smooth brome family, but represents a specific form with its own characteristics.
Where You’ll Find It
This grass has established populations across several regions in North America. You can find smooth brome growing in Connecticut, Quebec, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Newfoundland. It’s one of those plants that has successfully adapted to life far from its original home, reproducing on its own and persisting in the wild without human assistance.
The Non-Native Reality
Here’s the thing about smooth brome – it’s not native to North America. This grass was introduced from elsewhere and has since naturalized, meaning it reproduces and spreads without human help. While we don’t have specific information about whether this particular variety is considered invasive or problematic, it’s always worth considering native alternatives when planning your garden.
What We Don’t Know (And Why That Matters)
Honestly, there’s quite a bit we don’t know about this specific variety of smooth brome. Information about its growth habits, wildlife benefits, preferred growing conditions, and garden performance is limited. This lack of detailed information is actually pretty common with specific plant varieties – sometimes the research just hasn’t caught up yet.
Should You Plant It?
Given the limited information available and its non-native status, you might want to pause before adding smooth brome to your shopping list. While we can’t say it’s definitively problematic, there are likely native grass alternatives that would serve your landscape better while supporting local ecosystems.
Native Alternatives to Consider
Instead of smooth brome, consider these native grass options that might work well in your area:
- Little bluestem for prairie-style gardens
- Buffalo grass for low-maintenance lawns in suitable climates
- Native fescues for cool-season areas
- Regional sedges for moisture-loving spots
The Bottom Line
While smooth brome isn’t necessarily a bad plant, the combination of its non-native status and the limited information available about this specific variety makes it a less-than-ideal choice for most gardeners. Your landscape – and local wildlife – will likely benefit more from native grasses that have evolved alongside regional ecosystems.
When in doubt, reach out to your local native plant society or extension office. They can point you toward native grasses that will thrive in your specific conditions while supporting the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife that call your area home.
