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Products > Leymus arenarius 'Glaucus'
 
Leymus arenarius 'Glaucus' - Blue Rye
   
Image of Leymus arenarius 'Glaucus'
[2nd Image]
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Grass
Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) (Grasses)
Origin: Europe, Northern (Europe)
Flower Color: Wheat
Bloomtime: Summer
Synonyms: [Elymus arenarius 'Glaucus']
Height: 1-3 feet
Width: Spreading
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Seaside: Yes
Summer Dry: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: <15° F
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'

Information displayed on this page about Leymus arenarius 'Glaucus' is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.

 
San Marcos Growers closed for regular business at the end of 2025 as the property is being developed for affordable housing.
While our gates remain closed, we will open them by appointment so we can liquidate remaining plants, supplies and equipment. The plants remaining in the field are listed on our Live Inventory Page.
 
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