Great Basin Wildrye (Leymus cinereus) is a bold and architectural native grass that brings strong structure and movement to arid landscapes. Its tall, upright form and wide, powdery blue-green blades create a striking vertical element in native plantings. Since Great Basin Wildrye is a cool season grass, it's spring height and earlier bloom are an advantage in native gardens, where most tall grasses are warm season grasses and won't put on a show until later in the season. In summer, stout flowering stems rise well above the foliage, topped with dense, silvery seed heads that shimmer in the wind and add visual interest well into fall. This grass is ideal for creating focal points, anchoring large beds, or serving as a dynamic backdrop for wildflowers and lower-growing perennials in garden beds or borders or prairie plantings. 
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin