Western Wheatgrass
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Posted by Robert Dailey May 28, 2007 |
Western Wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) is a very aggressive grass that has a root system (rhizomes) which form a really tight sod.
Its root system is very shallow, but also very wide and may extend over eight feet from the plant. Each plant sends out rhizomes, which creep over one another, weaving in and out to make a very dense mat. Because of this mat, this is a great plant to resist erosion or stop erosion from wind and water.
It's drought-tolerant although during heavy summer droughts, it may go dormant. It and can be grown in alkaline soil. It also resists low temperatures, so it is great to use in higher elevations or more northern areas.
Since this is a cool-season grass, it is better to sow this grass in the fall. You should use one half pound of seed per 1,000 square feet.
The foliage of Western wheatgrass is blue-green. It is somewhat flat and stiff, and rough on the upper surface.
The seeds of this plant generally mature around September. Although seeds of Western wheatgrass tend to germinate slowly, there is one variety – Agropyron smithii var. molle that germinates better than other varieties.
Other names for western wheatgrass are Colorado bluestem, Smith’s blue joint and bluewestern wheatgrass.
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