Slender Wheatgrass

*ORDERING QUANTITIES - our seedlings are sold in bulk*
10 - 27 cu. in. seedlings are sold in bundles of 24 (1 unit = 24 seedlings)
100 & 175 cu. in. seedlings are sold in bundles of 9 (1 unit = 9 seedlings)

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Elymus trachycaulus

Native Range: Much of western and central North America, from Alaska and western Canada to the Great Plains and Mexico; absent in most southeastern U.S.

Natural Habitat: Dry to mesic sagebrush steppe, foothills, badlands, dry forests, riparian edges, saline plains, sand and stony soils

Foliage / Flowers: Bunchgrass with narrow flat leaves (~0.1 in wide); seed stalks 2–3 ft tall; inflorescence is narrow spicate raceme 2–10 in long with 3–7 flowered spikelets

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; thrives in open conditions

Growth Rate: Rapid early spring growth; cool-season C3 grass; seeds mature by late summer

20-year Height: 2–3 ft (typically 2–2.5 ft)

Elevation Range: Sea level up to approximately 11,500 ft (noted range 4,300–11,500 ft)

Cold Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone ~2; tolerates –40 °F; survives long cold seasons

Fire Tolerance: High; resprouts or reestablishes rapidly from seed following fire

Wind Tolerance: Excellent; withstands wind, grazing, trampling

Soil Preference: Well-drained sandy to clay loams; tolerates alkaline and saline conditions; avoids poorly drained or overly wet soils

Alkali / Saline Soil Tolerance: Moderate to high tolerance of alkaline and saline soils

Life Span: Short-lived perennial; typically 3–5 years; occasionally up to ~10 years

Minimum Annual Precip: Thrives in areas with ≥10–14 in annual precipitation; low-end range is ~10 in

Drought Tolerance: Very good once established; moderate tolerance, prefers less drought than some wheatgrasses

Windbreak Spacing: For erosion control or restoration, seed in clumps or rows spaced ~1.5–3 ft apart (similar to Sandberg)

Potential Pests / Disease: Generally few issues; resilient; no significant widespread pests listed

Deer Resistance: Palatable to deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep; livestock also graze it

Wildlife Value: High

• Provides forage for ungulates and livestock;
• Seeds eaten by small mammals, birds and insects
• Host plant for insects and pollinators
• Provides cover and nesting for upland game birds, small mammals, waterfowl