Leymus arenarius (Poaceae)

Lyme grass,   blue lyme grass
blue wild rye,   sand wild rye

Native on shifting sands and dunes around the coasts of the British Isles, northern and western Europe. Long popular with gardeners for the bluish foliage, and a particular favourite of Gertrude Jekyll. Stems erect or lax, 1 - 1.2m tall in bloom. Inflorescence a narrow spike, at first coloured like the leaves, drying to light beige, not ornamental. Can be cut back after flowering, ensuring a flush of new growth for the autumn. Leaves flat, to 12mm wide. The bluish-grey colour of the foliage varies in intensity between seedlings, but all plants are distinctly glaucous. A cool-season grower, but fairly tolerant of warm summers and above-average humidity. Useful as a groundcover, and often stunning as a colour accent, especially in combination with deep blue or purple flowers or maroon foliage. Extremely drought tolerant.
Ht. 1 - 1.2m. Very hardy


Price
  9cm pot       £2.50       Available Sept 2004