Scape Idea outdoor

Blue Lyme Grass

Leymus

Leymus arenarius ( Wild Blue Rye )
Also called Leymus glauca or Elymus arenarius and Wild Blue Rye. Fast growing; reaching up to 5 ( typically 3 ) feet and forms an attractive tall groundcover, esp for commercial sites, steep slopes and industrial areas. In some of its range, it is of extreme importance as its roots bind sand dunes preventing erosion. In these areas it is often protected.
Blue Lyme Grass may become invasive on favorable sites, sending out rhizomes as much as 8 feet from the parent plant. Individual clumps unrestrained, can reach up to 16 feet across. To contain, they can be planted in bottomless containers that are at least 2 feet deep to block the runners from spreading.
The arching, healthy bright blue leaves are up to 5 feet x 0.4 inches in size. The foliage remains the same color all season long.
The flowers consist of tan spikes that appear during summer.
This grass produces abundant, large seeds giving it potential as a perennial grain crop. It is actually a relative of Rye which is a popular agricultural grain.
When harvesting, be careful not to accidently harvest the Ergot fungus which is poisonous. Ergot is a parasite which replaces some of the grains on the seed head with larger, dark spurs.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on light, sandy soil. Drought and salt tolerant. It thrives in harsh coastal conditions on both the Atlantic Seaboard and in western Europe north into Ireland.
It is recommended to cut or mow to ground during early spring to stimulate new growth. Propagation is from division or seed.

* photo taken on Aug 25 2013 @ University of Maryland, College Park


Blue Dune
Intense silvery-blue foliage.

* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.

* photo taken on June 10 2011 in Baltimore Co., MD


Findhorn
More compact in habit, only reaching up to 2.5 feet in height, with showy bright steele-blue foliage.

Leymus condensatus Canyon Prince
A moderate rhizome spreading, evergreen grass, reaching up to 5 x 4 feet, that is native to the Channel Islands in California.
The very attractive foliage is blue.
Hardy zones 7b to 9

Leymus racemosus ( Blue Lyme Grass )
Also called Leymus giganteus. Spreading vigorously, it can grow up to 4 feet with metallic blue-gray foliage.
The flower plumes appear during summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 10; it grows exceptionally well in hot locations such as where heat radiates from parking lots and buildings. Tolerant of drought, heat, salt, wind & deer. Prefers moist, well drained soils in sun.

Leymus tritichoides ( Beardless Wild Rye )
A fast spreading, groundcover, perennial grass, reaching up to 4 feet in height, that is native to the western U.S.
The foliage is blue-green to green during summer, later turning to golden-tan color then to gray for winter.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 in full sun to partial shade. Tolerant of drought and salt spray.