Photo Credit : n/a

Canada Wild Rye

Elymus canadensis

Canada Wild Rye Stem is a perennial, ornamental grass species that can grow up to 1.5 m in height. The leaves are flat, pointed, blueish green coloured, and clasp the stems at the base. The flowers are greenish coloured, arching or drooping, resemble oat, appear swaying in the wind on terminal spikes, and bloom between July and September. Wild Rye is easy to grow and is low maintenance. This plant spreads well and can form small colonies. The roots can useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. The seeds are also beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals.

Canada Wild Rye grows best in dry to moist conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It grows well in a variety of soil types, including loam, sand, clay, and rock. It is tolerant of drought, poor and infertile soil, steep slopes, and air pollution. This grass can be naturally found in open forests, forest edges, prairies, sandy slopes, roadsides, and along river or lake shorelines.


Scientific Name: Elymus canadensis
Type: Ground Cover
Height: 1.5 m
Spread: 2 m
Moisture Level: dry, moist
Light Conditions: full sun, part sun
Soil Conditions: sand, clay, loam, rocky
Zone (Hardiness of Canada):