Tall Wheatgrass: A Hardy Non-Native Grass for Challenging Landscapes
If you’re dealing with a tough spot in your landscape where nothing seems to thrive, you might have come across tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum) in your research. This robust perennial grass has earned quite a reputation for growing where other plants fear to tread, but is it right for your garden? Let’s dig into what makes this grass tick and whether it deserves a spot in your landscape.
What Exactly is Tall Wheatgrass?
Tall wheatgrass, also known as rush wheatgrass, is a non-native perennial grass that originally hails from Eastern Europe and Western Asia. This sturdy grass has made itself at home across much of North America, establishing populations from Canada down through many U.S. states. You might also encounter it under various scientific names, as botanists have shuffled it around quite a bit over the years—it’s had more name changes than a witness protection participant!
This isn’t your typical ornamental grass. Tall wheatgrass is all business, growing in dense bunches that can reach an impressive 5 feet tall. Its gray-green foliage has a coarse texture, and while it does produce small, inconspicuous yellow flowers in early summer, don’t expect a stunning floral display.
Where Does Tall Wheatgrass Grow?
Tall wheatgrass has spread far and wide across North America. You’ll find established populations in Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. In the United States, it grows in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The Good, The Bad, and The Grassy
So why might you consider tall wheatgrass? Here are some compelling reasons:
- Tough as nails: This grass thrives in conditions that would make other plants wave the white flag—drought, poor soils, and harsh temperatures don’t faze it
- Rapid establishment: Once planted, it gets going quickly and forms dense stands
- Erosion control champion: Those deep roots (extending at least 20 inches down) make it excellent for stabilizing slopes and disturbed areas
- Low maintenance: After establishment, it pretty much takes care of itself
However, there are some considerations to keep in mind:
- Not native: As a non-native species, it doesn’t provide the same ecological benefits as indigenous grasses
- Limited ornamental value: If you’re looking for garden eye-candy, this isn’t your grass
- Aggressive spreader: While it doesn’t spread vegetatively, it readily self-seeds and can become dominant
Growing Conditions and Care
Tall wheatgrass is remarkably adaptable, which explains its widespread success. It grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 and can handle temperatures as low as -38°F. Here’s what it needs to thrive:
- Sunlight: Full sun is essential—this grass is shade intolerant
- Soil: Remarkably flexible, growing in coarse, medium, or fine-textured soils
- pH tolerance: Handles a wide range from 6.6 to 10.0
- Water needs: Medium moisture requirements, but quite drought tolerant once established
- Special tolerance: Handles salty soils better than many plants
Planting and Establishment
Getting tall wheatgrass started is straightforward. It’s typically grown from seed, and you’ll find it routinely available from commercial suppliers. With about 75,320 seeds per pound, a little goes a long way! The seeds germinate readily and seedlings show high vigor, though the initial spread rate is relatively slow.
Plant seeds in spring when soil temperatures warm up, and make sure your area gets at least 90 frost-free days per year. The grass requires moderate fertility levels, so basic soil preparation should suffice.
Is Tall Wheatgrass Right for Your Garden?
Tall wheatgrass works best in utilitarian landscapes rather than ornamental gardens. Consider it for:
- Erosion control on slopes
- Restoration of disturbed sites
- Areas with challenging growing conditions
- Low-maintenance naturalized areas
However, if you’re creating habitat for local wildlife or want to support native ecosystems, consider native bunch grasses instead. Options like little bluestem, buffalo grass, or blue grama (depending on your region) provide similar durability while supporting local pollinators and wildlife.
The Bottom Line
Tall wheatgrass is like the reliable work boots of the grass world—not particularly glamorous, but incredibly dependable when you need something tough. While it won’t win any beauty contests, it excels at solving landscape problems in challenging locations. Just remember that with its non-native status and vigorous self-seeding habit, it’s worth considering native alternatives that can provide similar benefits while supporting your local ecosystem.
Whether you choose tall wheatgrass or a native alternative, the key is matching the right plant to your specific needs and conditions. Sometimes the most practical choice isn’t the prettiest, but it gets the job done!
