Elymus virginicus grass features coarse grayish-green leaves growing with a slight arch to form loose clumps. Flower spikes emerge green, change to brown and are a bit thicker than Elymus canadensis (AKA Canada Wild Rye). Foliage and flowers dry and persist through the fall and winter.

Native to Ontario and much of North America.

Grows best in a moist to average soil, in full sun to partial shade. Foliage adds winter interest, but prune (if desired) in late winter to make way for new growth. Not suited for small landscapes due to its self-seeding nature. This is a good grass for erosion control because of its fibrous root system.

Cool Season Grasses: These grasses do the majority of their growing in early spring and continue until temperatures start to cool in the fall. During the warmer summer months, they stop growing and some will even go dormant. Cool season grasses flower in the spring or early summer. Most cool season grasses grow best in a consistently moist soil.