About
Loosely tufted perennial grass about 75cm tall, with upright or arching, linear, bristly, pale silvery-blue leaves to 20cm long and slender flower spikes of up to 8-flowered spikelets in early and midsummer.
About the genus
Elymus can be tufted or rhizomatous perennial grasses, with linear, deciduous leaves, sometimes attractively coloured, and flattened flower spikes in summer and autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand, Chalk
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitClump forming, Tufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Prairie planting, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurope to Pakistan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any moist but well-drained soil in full sun. See ornamental grasses cultivation
PruningCut back to ground level in late autumn
PropagationPropagate by seed in situ in autumn or spring or propagate by division from mid spring to early summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust