Japanese Bristlegrass

Also blooming: Zinnia, Autumn Joy Sedum, Lemon Basil, Gomphrena, Sunflowers, Woody Branches, Blackberry/Raspberry Vines, Lonicera Vines, Dahlia, Marigold, Nasturtium.

This is not in my garden, but a surprising foraged item. On the East Coast I’ve heard it called Foxtail, but my Central California childhood associates that with something completely different—a wheat-like barbed thing that gets stuck painfully up dog noses, and caused my parents a lot of vet bills.

In most years it’s a teeny yellowish grass that grows up through the sidewalk, it’s “tail” topping out at about 3 inches. This year, the tails are up to eight inches long, green and supple, and some have a very fetching pinkish umbra that looks great in almost any bouquet or arrangement, and as a bonus, it lasts for weeks.