Elymus glaucus (Blue Wild Rye)

Elymus glaucus (Blue Wild Rye) is an erect, cool-season perennial bunchgrass forming a loose tuft of a few long, smooth, waxy stems and upright or arching, linear, bristly, blue-green leaves, up to 12 in. long (30 cm). Tall flower spikes, up to 5 ft. (150 cm), rise above the foliage in early and midsummer. The inflorescence is a dense, erect, narrow spike, 2-6 in. long (5-15 cm), made up of a few spikelets, that nods gently and gracefully sways in the breeze. Both foliage and spikes slowly turn straw-colored in the fall. Blue Wild Rye has a vigorous, fibrous root system, sometimes with rhizomes, and the stems may form stolons. It is a desirable species for use in erosion control. It is suitable for stream bank restoration, meadow, and swale seeding. It is also excellent for reseeding burned or disturbed areas in oak woodland or forest. It is very tolerant of fire, burning quickly with little downward heat transfer. Great for prairies and meadows, it is also a popular accent grass for the garden. Blue Wild Rye is the most common and widely distributed of the wild western ryes. It occurs throughout western North America, from Alaska to Ontario southward to New Mexico, northern Arizona, California, and Mexico. Blue Wild Rye also provides excellent wildlife habitats for mammals, birds, and waterfowl.

• Grows up to 1-5 ft. tall (30-150 cm) and 1 ft. wide (30 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant is not fussy about soils and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including serpentine soils or sodic soils. It prefers moderately moist soils but tolerates drought.
• Excellent choice for prairies and meadows, butterfly gardens, or as a groundcover.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for rust. Deer resistant.
• Cut back to ground level in late autumn.

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Requirement
Hardiness	4,5,6,7,8,9
Heat Zones	4,5,6,7,8,9
Climate Zones	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 1A, 3B
Plant Type	Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family	Poaceae
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring, Summer, Fall, Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer
Height	1' - 2', 4' - 5'
Spread	< 1'
Water Needs	Low, Average
Maintenance	Low
Soil Type	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Characteristics	Showy, Attracts Butterflies
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
Planting Place	Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers