Blue Wild Rye
Elymus glaucus
Also listed as Clinelymus glaucus, Elymus americanus
Also known as Western Wild Rye, Smooth Wild Rye, Common Western Wild Rye
Climate Match for your location
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A native perennial bunch grass with fine blue-gray foliage that forms a neat mound. It sends up tall, slender seed heads in summer and is highly drought-tolerant once established.
Why grow it
Blue wild rye establishes quickly in well-drained, low-fertility soils, which makes it useful for erosion control and slope stabilization. Its fine blue-gray texture contrasts with coarser native grasses, and it needs little fertilizer or supplemental water once established.
Watch out for
It can be slow to fill bare ground in the first season and needs steady moisture while establishing. It may self-sow readily, so smaller plantings may need seedlings thinned, and it can be outcompeted by vigorous perennials in amended or irrigated beds.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America, California to British Columbia
Native to: California, Oregon, Washington
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native perennial bunch grass with fine blue-gray foliage that forms a neat mound. It sends up tall, slender seed heads in summer and is highly drought-tolerant once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Blue Wild Rye grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Blue wild rye establishes quickly in well-drained, low-fertility soils, which makes it useful for erosion control and slope stabilization. Its fine blue-gray texture contrasts with coarser native grasses, and it needs little fertilizer or supplemental water once established.
Watch out for
It can be slow to fill bare ground in the first season and needs steady moisture while establishing. It may self-sow readily, so smaller plantings may need seedlings thinned, and it can be outcompeted by vigorous perennials in amended or irrigated beds.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America, California to British Columbia
Native to: California, Oregon, Washington
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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