Great Basin Wild Rye
Great Basin Wild Rye (Leymus cinereus) is a stunning ornamental grass, which can grow up to six feet tall; making it a statuesque, focal point of any garden or bed. It is a native and robust bunchgrass that blooms in late spring with long, tan flowers providing an extra layer of visual structure.
The Great Basin Wild Rye, with its early-spring growth, will provide any gardener or viewer, impatiently waiting for warmer months, the satisfaction of seeing the seasons changing and growth coming back. It will also maintain its shape and structure throughout winter, which provides further appeal
year-round.
Botanical Name:Â Leymus cinereus
Origin:Â Native across western North America
Hardiness Zones:Â USDA zones 4 to 9
Water Requirements:Â Needs water in spring, but maintains a drought
tolerance in summer
Light Requirements:Â Full sun
Mature Size:Â Up to 4-6 feet tall and up to 3-4 feet wide
Idaho Fescue
Idaho Fescue (Festuca idahoensis) is a small, native clumping grass that provides an excellent border or ground cover to your garden. As an added bonus, it is an excellent addition to any slope as well to provide erosion control. Its leaves are extremely narrow and range from a blue-green to a silver-green color. It maintains much of its color throughout the year, providing an interest and color contrast in every season.
The Idaho Fescue requires little water once established, so it is an excellent addition to any garden or bed where water conservation is a value. It is also easy to maintain, with a simple (not too low) mowing after flowering.
Botanical Name: Festuca idahoensis
Origin: Native across western North America
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 4 to 8
Water Requirements: low to average watering
Light Requirements: full sun
Mature Size: Up to 1 – 2 feet tall and up to 10 inches wide
Blue Fescue
Blue Fescue (Festuca cinerea glauca Varna) is admittedly not a native ornamental grass to the area. That said, it a small, clumping grass with brilliant blue leaves that create such a visual contrast to an bed that we could not help but grow it.
With its size and color, the blue fescue compliments any landscape bed it is placed in and just as low-maintenance as our other grasses. It is drought tolerant and is amiable to partial shade. Its clumping nature ensures it will not crowd out the other plants in the bed, but it is also excellent planted amongst itself. Its color changes to a green through winter, providing excellent contrast year-round.
Botanical Name: Festuca cinerea glauca Varna
Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-7
Water Requirements: Requires little water once established
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Mature Size: Up to 1 foot tall and 8 inches wide