Canadian wild rye (Elymus canadensis), proposed by AKÈNE
🌿 An essential native grass for soil stabilization 🌿
Canadian wildrye is a native perennial grass recognized for its key ecological role in preventing erosion and restoring degraded habitats . With its deep, robust roots , it stabilizes soils on beaches, dunes, slopes and disturbed sites. It can grow up to 1.25 metres tall and produces long, elegant, pendulous spikes , which add interesting texture to landscapes and natural meadows.
🌱 Ideal for ecological restoration and bioremediation projects , it is also a food source for many granivorous birds thanks to its small edible seeds.
Characteristics of the variety
📅 Flowering : June to September
📏 Height : 125 cm
🌱 Spacing : 75 cm
☀️ Exposure : Sun
🌿 Life cycle : Perennial
🌾 Soil type : Sandy to loamy, well drained
💧 Soil moisture content : Dry to medium
🦌 Deer Resistance : Moderate
📦 Seeds per packet : 300
Sowing and cultivation
📏 Sowing depth : 10 mm
🌡 Germination time : 10 to 15 days
❄️ Cold stratification : 60 days
⚡ Scarification : Not required
🔹 Indoor method (recommended for faster germination) :
1️⃣ Mix the seeds with a moist substrate ( sand, perlite or vermiculite ) and place them in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for 60 days .
2️⃣ After stratification, spread the seeds on the surface of the potting soil , press lightly to ensure good contact with the soil.
3️⃣ Keep the soil moist until germination (about 15 days ), without excess humidity or temperature.
🔹 Outdoor method :
🌿 Sow directly in the fall to allow natural stratification during the winter.
💧 Ensure good soil contact and maintain moderate humidity to encourage seedling emergence in spring.
🌱 Once established, this plant grows vigorously and spreads rapidly, forming a dense ground cover.
Medicinal and culinary uses
🌾 An edible but little-exploited grain
The seeds of Canadian wild rye are edible , although small and requiring laborious processing . They are eaten by several species of birds and can be used in the restoration of natural meadows .
Ecological roles and utilities
🏞️ A natural soil stabilizer : Particularly effective against erosion of dunes, beaches and slopes .
🐦 A refuge and a food source for wildlife : Its seeds feed many granivorous birds .
🌿 A tool for ecological restoration : Used to revegetate degraded and contaminated soils in bioremediation.
🌱 Establishes quickly thanks to its vigorous seedlings and dense growth from the first year.
Companion plants
🌿 Aster, goldenrod, echinacea, panicum erectum
Enemy plants
🌿 None known
Why grow Canadian wild rye?
🌱 An excellent ally for soil stabilization
🌾 A resilient and aesthetic native grass
🐦 An asset for biodiversity and local fauna
🏞️ An ideal choice for ecological restoration and bioremediation projects
🌿 Integrate Canadian wild rye into your developments to restore natural environments and strengthen ecosystems!
