Canada wild rye
Cool-season perennial grass growing 1-1.5 m tall. Features blue-green foliage and arching seed heads resembling wheat. Blooms in mid to late summer. Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Tolerates drought and poor soils. Provides food and cover for wildlife. Useful for erosion control and as a quick-establishing component in prairie restorations. Suitable for naturalized areas and as a backdrop in perennial gardens.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: Green
Bloom Time: Mid to Late-Summer
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist-Drained
Phenology: Growth begins May. Flowering stems appear July. Seeds mature August-September. Foliage turns tan, remaining upright through winter.
Wildlife Value: Seeds eaten by numerous songbirds and small mammals; provides cover and nesting material for grassland birds; larval host for several skipper species
Habit Over Time: Creates arching clumps of stems that emerge from a gradually expanding base. While it self-seeds readily, it does not spread aggressively through rhizomes. The graceful, arching form allows it to weave through neighboring plants without overwhelming them. Provides strong vertical elements that catch light and movement.
Height: Tall (3-5 feet)