Best known for its heavy, arched seed heads that resemble cultivated rye or wheat, this cool-season bunchgrass adds a graceful "nodding" movement to any landscape.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Needs Medium-Low (Very Adaptable)
Soil Type Versatile; thrives in Sand, Loam, or Clay
Mature Height 4 to 5 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate - High
Bloom Time July – October
Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet
Canada Wild Rye is prized for its rapid growth and its ability to provide beauty even in the very first year of planting.
Distinctive Seed Heads: By mid-summer, the plant produces large, bristly spikes that curve downward under their own weight and creates a "nodding" movement to the grasses. The seed heads remain intact well into the winter, turning from green into a soft-tan.
Fast Establisher: Unlike some native grasses that take years to mature, Canada Wild Rye grows quickly. It is often used as a "nurse grass" to stabilize soil while slower perennials get established.
Versatile & Adaptable: It is remarkably unfussy about soil, thriving in everything from sandy loams to heavy clay, and can handle both moist and dry conditions.
Larval Host: It serves as a host plant for many Skipper butterflies and various species of moths.
Winter Bird Buffet: The seeds are a favorite for wild turkeys, sparrows and various songbirds during the winter months.
Superior Cover: The dense, clump-forming foliage provides excellent nesting habitat for ground-nesting birds and protection for small wildlife.
Pro Tip: Canada Wild Rye is a relatively short-lived perennial (usually 3–5 years), but it gracefully self-seeds. Allow the seed heads to drop in autumn to ensure a beautiful, self-sustaining stand for years to come.
This iconic North American native is commonly used in both restoration and landscaping projects and is very drought tolerant but can do will in moist settings too.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Needs Low (Drought Tolerant after established)
Soil Type Well-drained; thrives in Sand, Loam, or Clay
Mature Height 2 to 3 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time July – October
Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet
Color: In the spring and summer, the slender blades emerge in shades of blue-green. After the first frost, the entire plant transforms into shades of brown, copper, and deep crimson that will remain all winter.
Winter Interest: The stems are famously sturdy and remain upright even under the weight of light snow. In winter, the seed heads turn into fluffy, white tufts.
Compact "Columnar" Habit: Little Bluestem grows in neat, vertical clumps. Its upright nature makes it a perfect choice for formal borders, or as an accent in your landscape.
Extreme Hardiness: This grass thrives in poor soils, intense heat, and periods of significant drought once its deep root system is established.
Butterfly Larval Host: It is the primary host plant for several species of Skipper butterflies, providing essential food for their caterpillars.
Insects: Insects that feed on Little Bluestem include grasshoppers, leafhoppers, Prairie Walking Sticks, beetles and spittlebugs.
Winter Food Source: The high-protein seeds are a critical food resource for small songbirds throughout the winter.
Protective Cover: The dense, bunch-forming base of the plant provides vital nesting sites for queen bumble bees and shelter for ground-dwelling wildlife.
Pro-Tip: Resist the urge to cut it back in the fall! Leaving the stalks standing until early spring not only provides critical habitat for overwintering pollinators but also ensures you get to enjoy that stunning coppery-red color against the winter snow.
This native, cool-season grass is famous for its distinctive flower spikes that appear in mid-summer, resembling bristly brushes. Bottlebrush Grass is a shade-loving champion. It is one of the few native grasses that will happily illuminate the darker corners of your yard, providing vertical interest and a cool, "forest-floor" aesthetic.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade to Full Shade
Water Needs Low to Moderate; quite drought-tolerant once established.
Soil Type Adaptable; thrives in rocky, loam, or dry clay soils.
Mature Height 2 – 4 feet (including flower spikes)
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time June – August
Plant Spacing 12 – 18 inches
Dry Shade Solution: One of the best plants for the "difficult" dry shade found under large trees where little else will grow.
Winter Interest: The seed heads remain attractive long after the growing season ends, standing tall through the frost and light snow.
Larval Host: This grass serves as a vital nursery for the Northern Pearly-eye butterfly.
Bird Forage: In late fall and winter, the seeds are a high-energy food source for small ground-feeding songbirds like juncos and sparrows.
Shelter: The tufted, bunch-forming habit provides excellent nesting material and cover for beneficial insects and small wildlife.
Pro Tip: For a stunning visual effect, plant Bottlebrush Grass in small clusters.