BASIN WILDRYE

Leymus cinereus

This statuesque bunchgrass is widely distributed throughout our region and is likely the plant of pioneer legends about fields of grass tall enough to hide a horse and its rider. It can hold its own in mixed plantings with shrubs, but is even more attractive as a specimen or screen. It maintains its shape through all but the snowiest weather, providing winter structure and interest. It should be trimmed back in the spring before the new shoots start to emerge. In nature this plant has no trouble maintaining its erect form, but with too much water and too-fertile soils, it sometimes has a tendency to fall open. Lean soil and infrequent watering can prevent this. Basin wildrye is a fast-growing plant that will flower the first year from a small plug and reach mature size in two or three years. The mature plants are long-lived and have few problems. This handsome grass is a good substitute for large exotic bunchgrasses like natal grass and miscanthus, that have the potential to become serious invaders of wild lands.