Bromus inermis Skinners Gold

Brome or Bromus inermis Skinner's Gold is a hardy and perennial grass, with variegated dark green foliage vertically streaked with gold. In summer, feathery spikes of flowers appear, reminiscent of oats, with a green-bronze colour tinged with violet. They are carried by pale yellow stems, giving the flowering plant a golden sheaf-like appearance. This variety is easy to grow in well-drained ordinary soil, that is moist to dry in summer.  It spreads through its running rhizomes without becoming invasive. To control its spread more easily, it can be cultivated in pots.

Bromus inermis is a plant of the Poaceae family which is native to central and boreal Europe, western Asia, and Siberia.  It is very hardy. This species often grows in the wild at the foot of hedges, along paths, or in ditches, and tolerates all kinds of soils, whether clay or limestone, as well as dry or wet conditions.

The Skinner's Gold variety, from northern Manitoba, forms an upright clump composed of flat leaves slightly wider than those of the species.  These reach a height and width of at least 60 to 80 cm (24 to 32in), as it spreads through fine rhizomes. The foliage is elegantly vertically streaked with bright green and golden yellow. From June to August, yellow stems rise from the clump, reaching a height of about 1 m (3ft), carrying feathery panicles at their tips, giving the plant a loose habit and a beautiful golden colour. The inflorescences, which turn brown-golden at maturity, are perfect for beautiful dried flower arrangements.

Bromus inermis 'Skinner's Gold' will find a place in a grass garden, a wild garden alongside perennial Geraniums sanguineum or cinereum, Linarias, or in a rustic border with mallows, catmints, tall thistles, and blue-flowering plants such as asters, meadow sages, bluebeards, or even Ceanothus. It is also a plant that can be grown as a specimen, perfectly suited to a contemporary garden with clean lines. It also grows very well in a container or a large pot.