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Native Utah Plants

Great Basin Wildrye

Great Basin Wildrye

Leymus cinereus

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Great Basin Wildrye (Leymus cinereus) is a tall, cool-season perennial bunchgrass native to the Intermountain West. Reaching up to 6 feet tall, this striking grass features arching, blue-green foliage and stout seed heads that add dramatic vertical interest to meadows, prairies, and garden landscapes. Highly drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in well-drained soils but can also tolerate moist conditions. While it prefers full sun, it can handle light to moderate shade although it may not grow as tall. Basin Wildrye provides excellent wildlife habitat offering cover for birds and native ground bees. Be warned, deer also love Great Basin Wildrye. Low-maintenance and long-lived, Basin Wildrye is perfect for large-scale plantings, prairie gardens, and water-wise landscapes.

Plant Profile

Scientific name: Leymus cinereus

Duration: Perennial

Native region: Wasatch Mountains, Wasatch Front Valley, and Southern Utah

Native elevation: 2500-9500 ft

Water requirement: Medium

Drought tolerance: Medium-High

Light requirement: Full sun

Shade tolerance: Low

Mature size: 4-6' H by 5-6' W

Bloom time: June - July

Flower color: Beige

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