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Grass LikeHerbaceous Perennial

Bromus ramosus

hairy brome

A perennial grass that grows up to 150 cm tall with slender stems and graceful, loosely hanging flower heads. Its long, narrow, slightly hairy leaves reach up to 30 cm. The green foliage contrasts with nodding, purplish-brown spikelets that appear in summer

Synonyms

Bromopsis ramosa
Zerna ramosa
see moreBromus asper

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Bromus can be annual or perennial grasses, tufted in habit, with panicles of nodding or erect flowering spikelets
Name status: Correct
Plant range: W Eurasia to N Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in moist, fertile soils and partial shade, such as woodlands, hedgerows, and shaded grassy areas, but can also adapt to sunnier conditions, such as meadows. See creating wildflower meadows for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seeds outdoors or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

For more information see our page on how to cut back deciduous grasses

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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