Bromus ramosus

RHS Plant Profile
hairy brome

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Other common names

hairy brome

Synonyms

Bromopsis ramosa, Bromus asper, Zerna ramosa

Grass Like Herbaceous Perennial

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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