Leymus arenarius 'Glaucus' (Blue Rye) - This is a vigorous deciduous to semi-deciduous psammophilic (sand-loving) species of grass has 18-30-inch-tall upright blue-gray blades and spreads wide by rhizomes. In spring the tight spikes of yellowish green flowers rise a foot or two above the foliage.
Plant in full sun and give average to little water. Good for erosion control and tolerant of beachside conditions. It makes a wide spreading tall ground cover and a good container plant where its invasiveness can be contained. It is very hardy, taking temperatures well below 0 degrees F.
Leymus arenarius is a recently evolved grass that is native to coastal areas in Western Europe up to Northern Europe. It is closely related to Leymus mollis (previously described as Elymus arenarius ssp. mollis) that is native to the northern coastal areas (both Pacific and Atlantic) of North America and it is sometimes sold as Elymus glaucus, which was a previous name for a California native grass now called Leymus glaucus. The name for the genus is an anagram of Elymus, which is derived from the Greek word 'elyo' which means rolled-up or covered in reference to its grain being covered by the flower palea and lemma. Other common names include Blue Lyme Grass, Sand Rye Grass. We have grown this interesting and useful grass since 1987. It similar but stiffer and shorter that the native Rye Grass we grow, Leymus condensatus 'Canyon Prince'.
The information about Leymus arenarius 'Glaucus' that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
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