About
Lolium perenne, perennial rye grass, is a fast-growing, loosely tufted, evergreen perennial grass about 1 m tall with mid-green to blue-green, narrow leaves and individual greenish-brown spikelets arranged alternately up the flowering stem. One of the most widely used grasses in lawn mixtures, turf, pasture, and soil stabilisation across temperate regions.
About the genus
Lolium, the rye grasses, are annual or perennial grasses with narrow, linear leaves and flowering spikelets arranged in flat spikes. Important forage and turf grasses widely used in lawn seed mixtures, agricultural pasture, and soil stabilisation.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitClump forming, Tufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any well-drained soil in full sun. Suited to lawns and turf and spread is indefinite so may be difficult to contain unless regularly maintained or used in a wild garden
PruningCut down dead growth in autumn
PropagationPropagate by seed in early spring or autumn, or by division from mid spring to early autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to chafer grubs in lawns
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust