Description
Canada Wild Rye Seeds 8090 (Elymus canadensis). Native of Canada. Perennial.
250 seeds/gram
Canada Wild Rye is a fast growing, perennial cool season bunchgrass. Due to its quick establishment, it makes an ideal native nurse crop for native meadow plantings as it matures in the first or second year, long ahead of other longer lived warm season native grasses. After a couple of years, it gradually gives way in combined plantings to other more aggressive native grasses. The readily identifiable nodding seed heads are very attractive when dried and used in arrangements or as winter interest in mass plantings. Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Height approaches 90 cm. Hardy to Zone 3. For many native and perennial plants, late fall is the best time to sow seed directly outside. Why you ask? Simply put, many of these plants produce seed that is viable but dormant. This means allowing seeds to naturally stratify over window will “wake up” the dormant seed for best results.
How to Grow
Native grasses do best when planted in the fall, between Oct. 15th and Nov. 15th. A late fall sowing naturally stratifies any seed that may be dormant. An early spring sowing in April will work but often not as effectively. If ideal growing conditions are unavailable, the seed may go dormant and not germinate until the spring of the following year.
Many native plants will not bloom until the second year of growth when grown from seed. Avoid the use of supplemental fertilizer as this encourages weeds at the expense of the native plants. During the establishment year, native species plantings should be watered when dictated by the weather. The following year’s growth adapts easily to local climate and soil conditions needing only what nature provides. Mow to 20 cm height at least once through the first year of growth should aggressive weeds threaten to take over the planting and again after the fall frosts have reduced annual foliage. Consider a controlled burn of prairie species where municipal laws permit. The encroachment of woody or non-prairie vegetation is curtailed by fire allowing the prairie community to thrive. Germination takes 14-28 days.
