Elymus canadensis
canada wild rye
Overview
Elymus canadensis is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass native to much of North America, forming clumps 3-5 ft (90-150 cm) tall in flower. The blue-green to gray-green leaf blades are flat, 0.3-0.6 in (8-15 mm) wide, and somewhat lax, arching from the base of the clump. In summer it produces thick, nodding seed spikes 4-10 in (10-25 cm) long, packed with bristly, long-awned spikelets that curve outward and give the head a bottlebrush look. The spikes age from green to straw and arch over as the seed ripens. It grows in prairies, open woods, stream banks, sandy soils, and roadsides in full sun to light shade. As a short-lived perennial it establishes fast and reseeds, often used as a quick cover in restorations while slower grasses fill in. The clumps can flop in rich soil or shade. Birds eat the seed and the foliage shelters insects.
Native Range
Native across most of North America, from Canada south through the United States to the Southwest and Mexico. It grows in tallgrass and mixed-grass prairie, open woodlands, stream banks, sandy flats, and roadsides.Suggested Uses
Used in prairie restorations, erosion control, and meadow plantings as a fast-establishing nurse grass while slower species fill in. It is planted in groups or drilled spaced 12-18 in (30-45 cm) apart on open, sunny ground. The nodding seed heads add summer texture and the seed feeds birds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
The bristly seed spikes emerge in summer, mainly June through August, first green and upright, then aging to straw and nodding. Flowering and seed set span several weeks. The dried heads can persist into fall before shattering.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Elymus canadensis grows in full sun to light shade on a wide range of soils, from sand to clay, at a pH of 5.5-8.0, and tolerates drought, heat, and poor ground once established. It is a cool-season grass, greening up early and setting seed by midsummer. It needs no fertilizer and grows readily from seed, establishing within a season. It is short-lived, often persisting only a few years, but reseeds to maintain a stand. Rich soil and shade make the clumps flop. Rust and smut fungi can affect the leaves and seed heads.Pruning
Cut the clump back to a few inches in late winter before new spring growth begins. No other pruning is needed. Removing seed heads before they shatter limits self-sowing where that is not wanted.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winterearly spring