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Virginia Wildrye Elymus virginicus

Previously known as:

  • Elymus glabriflorus
Phonetic Spelling
EL-ih-mus vir-JIN-ih-kus
Description

Eastern Wild-rye is a native perennial cool-season ornamental grass found in bottomland forests, upland prairies, glades, marshes, stream banks, pastures, fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas in Canada and the U.S.A.  It is considered a NC Special Concern species. The plant grows in clumps up to 1 foot tall. The flower spikes rise up to 4 feet tall with bristly wheat-like inflorescences that sway in the breeze. They are followed by seed heads that mature to tan and continue to add interest to the plant into fall. It will freely self-seed.

Eastern Wildrye is easy to grow in moist, fertile, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. and tolerates a wide range of soil types. The root system makes it very good for erosion control. Use this plant in naturalized areas, slopes or stream banks. 

This plant provides shelter to small mammals and insects and is deer resistant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. glabriflorus
  • Var. halophilus
  • var. submuticus
    narrower leaves
var. glabriflorus, Var. halophilus, var. submuticus
Tags:
#NC native#swamps#pollinator plant#native ornamental grass#larval host plant#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#Audubon
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. glabriflorus
  • Var. halophilus
  • var. submuticus
    narrower leaves
var. glabriflorus, Var. halophilus, var. submuticus
Tags:
#NC native#swamps#pollinator plant#native ornamental grass#larval host plant#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#Audubon
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Elymus
    Species:
    virginicus
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Canada, U.S.A.
    Wildlife Value:
    Provides shelter to small mammals and insects. Deer resistant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are available July-November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Wheat-like inflorescence that bloom June-October.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Flat linear pointed leaves. Infertile leaves in tufts up to 1 foot long. Alternate leaves on the stems in spring and summer
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Riparian
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy