Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus)
el-EE-mus ver-JIN-ih-kus

Deciduous Perennial in the Poaceae Family

Elymus virginicus, commonly referred to as Virginia wild rye or terrell grass, is a robust, native perennial grass that adds textural interest and ecological value to meadows, prairies, and woodland edges. This resilient species is prized for its upright, clumping growth habit and eye-catching seed heads.

Growing 2-4 feet tall, Elymus virginicus features vibrant green, lanceolate leaves that emerge from a tufted, rhizomatous base. The sturdy, erect culms support the plant's distinctive inflorescences, which appear in late spring to early summer. These showy seed heads begin as tight, green spikes that gradually elongate, revealing long, slender awns that protrude outward, creating a captivating, bottlebrush-like effect.

As the seed heads mature, they transition from green to a striking golden-brown hue, adding dynamic textural contrast and visual interest to the landscape. Elymus virginicus thrives in a wide range of soil conditions, from moist, well-drained loams to dry, rocky sites, making it a versatile choice for integration into diverse, naturalistic plantings.

Beyond its ornamental appeal, this native grass plays a vital role in supporting local ecosystems. Its robust, clumping growth habit helps to stabilize soil and filter runoff, while the seed heads and foliage provide valuable food and shelter for a variety of birds, small mammals, and pollinating insects.

Whether used as a striking accent plant, incorporated into prairie or meadow restorations, or allowed to naturalize in woodland edges, Elymus virginicus's adaptable nature, architectural form, and ecological benefits make it a standout choice for sustainable, low-maintenance landscape design.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 4 feet tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Sun - Full Shade
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Deciduous, Full Shade, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Sun, Perennial, Wet
Bloom Period June to August
Flower Color Green/Brown
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!