Xerophyllum tenax
Xerophyllum tenax or bear grass is an amazing BC native with white hot torches atop evergreen, grass-like mounds.
Xerophyllum tenax or bear grass is a spectactular BC native plant that remains uncommon in cultivation, probably because it can take some time to reach flowering size. Bear grass looks like a finely-textured grass or sedge but it is a beautiful flowering plant. Its fine, shiny, toothed, grass-like foliage forms an attractive evergreen mound. Its dramatic cone-shaped flower spikes can reach four feet high, sometimes higher, and look like white torches on its native mountainsides. The flowers are creamy-white, star-shaped, and fragrant. Evenly moist, well-drained, gritty or gravelly soil in part shade to sun. Also known as Indian basket grass, quip-quip, and soap grass. Often listed as hardy to just zone 5 or 6 however this species grows in at least zone 3 in Alberta.
Common Name: Bear Grass
Family: Melianthaceae (The Honeybush Family)
Zone Hardiness: 3-8
Light: Full Sun, Part Sun
Height: 4-6'
Width: 8-12"
Primary Bloom Colour: White/Cream
Secondary Bloom Colour: White/Cream
Bloom Time: Late Spring - Early Summer
Foliage Colour: Green
Class: Evergreen
Type: Perennial
Soil Moisture: Average, Moist
Stem Colour:
Fragrance: Yes
Berries:
Benefits: Bees
Deer Resistant: No
BC Native: Yes
Native Habitat: Subalpine meadows and open forests from southern BC and Alberta south to California and east to Wyoming.
Award:
Geographical Origin: North America
