Blue Wildrye (Elymus glaucus)

Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus) is a perennial bunchgrass that grows upright to about 4 feet. It grows as narrow tufts of several erect stems and spreads outward by rhizomes.  It is a common and widespread species native to North America from Alaska to New York to northern Mexico. Blue wildrye is a crucial soil stabilizer, habitat creator, and food source for local wildlife. The seeds are a food source for native mammals and birds. This is a popular accent grass for the garden, providing green to blue green color and texture contrast. It can hybridize with other species of Elymus to produce highly variable forms. From Calscape.

Grower: Heritage Growers

Other Names Used: Western wildrye

Family: Poaaceae

Life Cycle: Perennial

Plant Type: Grass

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial

Bloom Period: Spring, Summer (May to July)

Bloom Color(s): Yellow

Plant Height: 1-5 feet tall

Plant Width: 1 foot wide

California Regions:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• North Coast
• Central Valley
• Sierra Foothills
• Sierra Nevada
• Central California Coast
• Southern Coast
• Southern California Inland
  

Ecological Benefits:

• Drought Tolerant
  
• Deer Resistant
• Attracts pollinators, birds, wildlife
  

Ecological Functions:

• Lawn Alternative
• Groundcover
• Bank Stabilization

Habitat Type:

• Chaparral
  
• Valley Grassland
• Yellow Pine Forest
• Red Fir Forest
• Lodgepole Pine Forest
• Subalpine Forest
• Foothill Woodland 

Human Uses/Cautions: 

Skill Level: Beginner

Seed Pretreatment: No