Basin Wildrye

Leymus cinereus

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Plant Family: Poaceae
Plant Description: Large ornamental bunch grass native to much of North America especially the Great Basin. Foliage grows green to blue-green and begins to turn dormant in late-summer. Spiked seed head grow on tall stems above the clump. Tolerates a wide range of soil and water conditions.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Ornamental Grass - Medium
Plant Care: Ornamental Grass - Medium (showy non-turf grasses that go dormant in winter, 3-6' tall): Use hand pruners or hedger to cut and remove 2/3 of the total grass height. Trim edges. For warm season grasses (more common), this is best done in late winter to early spring. For cool season grasses apply the same maintenance practices in the late fall, once the plant is dormant.

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 2-5' tall x 1-3' wide
Utah Native: Yes
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: No
Localscapes: Foundation Plant, Perimeter Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Blue-green, Green
Bloom Colors: Tan
Bloom Seasons: Early Summer
Bloom Period: Jun - Jul

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun)
Irrigation Requirement:     Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Resistant: Yes

Garden Location:

  • Not on display
    • Not on display

Garden Staff Tips & Insights:

A cold season ornamental grass that starts to green up in March. Has a high chance to spread around the landscape, especially if overwatered. It may become unattractive in the landscape starting in mid to late summer and can be cut to the ground then.
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter