Virginia Wild rye

Virginia Wild rye
(Elymus virginicus)

Height:

• 4 feet

Bloom:

• May to September

Classification:

• Native
• Perennial

Sun:

• Full sun to shade (prefers some shade)

Soil moisture:

• Medium to moist

Provides food for:

• Caterpillars (foliage)
• Songbirds (seeds, caterpillars and other insects)

Notes:

• Virginia wild rye is a clump forming grass that also readily self-seeds.
• Can be aggressive because of how quickly it self-seeds, but that feature also makes it a good choice for wet areas that are prone to erosion.
• Virginia wild rye is a cool season grass which means that most of its growth occurs during the cooler months of the year.
• Provides important nesting cover and habitat for a wide range of birds during the summer.
• The vegetation remains standing throughout the winter which provides shelter to songbirds and other small wildlife.
• Seed have barbs which have the potential to scratch or damage a dog’s eye, so might not be a good choice for yards frequented by dogs.

Native Range: