Wildrye: A Native Grass Worth Getting to Know
If you’re looking to add authentic native character to your landscape, wildrye (Elymus ×maltei) might just be the unsung hero your garden needs. This perennial grass represents one of nature’s own creations—a natural hybrid that has quietly established itself across a surprising range of North American landscapes.
What Makes This Wildrye Special?
Elymus ×maltei belongs to the fascinating world of natural plant hybrids. As a graminoid (that’s fancy talk for grass-like plant), it shares the family tree with other grasses, sedges, and rushes that form the backbone of many native ecosystems. What sets this particular wildrye apart is its hybrid nature—it’s essentially nature’s own experiment in plant breeding.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
This adaptable native has made itself at home across a remarkable geographic range. In Canada, you’ll spot it in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. South of the border, it grows naturally in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin—quite the continental traveler!
This wide distribution suggests that wildrye is more adaptable than many native grasses, tolerating various climate conditions from the northern prairies to southern plains.
Why Consider Wildrye for Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting—and a bit challenging. While Elymus ×maltei is undoubtedly a legitimate native species, detailed cultivation information for this specific hybrid is surprisingly scarce in horticultural literature. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it just means you’d be venturing into somewhat uncharted territory.
What we do know is promising:
- It’s a hardy perennial that comes back year after year
- As a native species, it’s naturally adapted to North American growing conditions
- Its wide natural range suggests good adaptability
- Being a grass, it likely provides habitat value for wildlife
Growing Conditions and Care
Based on its natural distribution and grass family characteristics, wildrye likely thrives in:
- Full sun to partial shade conditions
- Well-draining soils
- USDA hardiness zones 3-7 (estimated from its natural range)
- Moderate to low water requirements once established
As with most native grasses, it probably appreciates minimal fussing once established. Think prairie tough, not garden prima donna.
The Garden Challenge
Here’s the honest truth: finding Elymus ×maltei at your local nursery might prove more challenging than growing it. This hybrid wildrye seems to fly under the commercial radar, making it something of a Holy Grail for native plant enthusiasts.
If you’re determined to grow this particular species, your best bet might be:
- Contacting specialized native plant nurseries
- Connecting with native plant societies in regions where it grows naturally
- Considering seed collection (where legally permitted and environmentally responsible)
Alternative Native Grasses
If Elymus ×maltei proves elusive, consider these more readily available native wildrye relatives:
- Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis)
- Virginia wildrye (Elymus virginicus)
- Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus)
These cousins offer similar ecological benefits and are much easier to source from native plant suppliers.
The Bottom Line
Elymus ×maltei represents the intriguing intersection of botanical rarity and garden potential. While it might not be the easiest native grass to obtain or grow, its wide natural range and hybrid vigor suggest it could be a valuable addition to naturalistic landscapes, prairie gardens, or restoration projects.
Sometimes the most rewarding gardening adventures involve plants that make you work a little harder. If you’re up for the challenge of tracking down this elusive wildrye, you’ll be growing a piece of North American botanical heritage that few gardeners can claim in their landscapes.
