Intermediate Barley: A Native Prairie Grass Worth Considering
If you’re looking to add authentic North American character to your landscape, intermediate barley (Hordeum jubatum intermedium) might just be the native grass you’ve been searching for. This perennial graminoid brings prairie charm to gardens while supporting local ecosystems—though you might need to do a bit of detective work to find it at your local nursery.
What Makes Intermediate Barley Special?
Intermediate barley is a fascinating member of the grass family that’s truly North American through and through. This native species calls home to an impressive range stretching from Alaska down through Canada and into the lower 48 states. You’ll find it naturally growing across the northern plains and mountain regions, from the Yukon Territory all the way down to New Mexico.
As a perennial grass, intermediate barley returns year after year, making it a reliable foundation plant for naturalistic landscapes. It’s part of the graminoid group, which means it shares characteristics with other grass-like plants including sedges and rushes.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
This adaptable grass has claimed territory across a remarkable geographic range. In Canada, you’ll spot it in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Down in the United States, it grows naturally in Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
Should You Plant Intermediate Barley?
Here’s where things get interesting—and a bit challenging. While intermediate barley has excellent credentials as a native plant, specific information about this particular subspecies can be surprisingly elusive. If you’re drawn to native grasses and prairie restoration, this plant offers several compelling reasons to consider it:
- True native status across a broad geographic range
- Perennial nature means long-term garden presence
- Likely drought tolerance based on its natural habitat
- Authentic choice for prairie and naturalistic garden styles
However, gardeners should be aware that finding specific cultivated varieties or detailed growing information can be tricky. You might have better luck finding the more common foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) at nurseries.
Garden Design and Landscape Use
Intermediate barley shines in naturalistic settings where its prairie heritage can really show. Consider it for:
- Prairie restoration projects
- Native plant gardens
- Drought-tolerant landscaping
- Wildlife habitat gardens
- Erosion control on slopes
This grass works beautifully as part of mixed native plantings, where it can provide texture and movement alongside wildflowers and other prairie plants.
Growing Conditions and Care
Based on its natural distribution across diverse climates, intermediate barley appears to be quite adaptable. It likely thrives in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 7, making it suitable for most northern and mountain regions.
While specific growing requirements for this subspecies aren’t well-documented, related species suggest it probably prefers:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-draining soils
- Moderate to low water requirements once established
- Tolerance for various soil types
The Reality Check
Here’s the honest truth: intermediate barley might be more of a plant enthusiast’s quest than a typical garden center find. If you’re specifically interested in this subspecies, you may need to:
- Contact native plant societies in your region
- Check with prairie restoration specialists
- Consider growing from seed if available
- Look into alternative native grasses that are more readily available
Alternative Native Grasses
If intermediate barley proves elusive, consider these more commonly available native grasses that offer similar prairie appeal:
- Buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides)
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
- Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
- Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)
Final Thoughts
Intermediate barley represents the wonderful diversity of North America’s native grass species, even if it plays a bit hard to get in the gardening world. For dedicated native plant gardeners willing to do some research and sourcing work, it offers the satisfaction of growing a truly authentic piece of North American prairie heritage. Just be prepared for a bit of a treasure hunt—sometimes the best native plants are the ones that make you work a little harder to find them.
