Xerophyllum tenax

janemcgary@earthlink.net janemcgary@earthlink.net
Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:55:44 PST
Marie-Paule asked,>I have tried this plant a few times, but after a while they become yellow
>leaves and passed on to the plant haven!!
>
>Do they need much water? Or what soil do they need? Can anyone help?
>

Xerophyllum tenax (beargrass) typically grows in coniferous forests on slopes or, at least, in very well drained soils, full of rocks and gravel. It can grow in shade but usually flowers better in sun, when forest fires or logging removes nearby trees. Wild plants do not flower every year. It grows within the elevation zone where there is snow all winter, so it's pretty dry except in fall before the snow comes, and in spring when the snow melts it is quite moist, though fast draining. It does not get much water in summer because it does not rain much then, and there are trees nearby.

This plant is difficult to grow and is not seen in gardens at low elevations, even very near where it grows in nature. I can drive 20 minutes and be where it grows, but I don't think I could grow it in my garden, which is just below the usual snow line.

It is also known to be very difficult to transplant.

Jane McGary
Northwestern Oregon, USA


More information about the pbs mailing list