Species Crested Wheat Grass

Crested Wheat Grass

Agropyron cristatum

Crested Wheat Grass (Agropyron cristatum) is a hardy, cool season grass native to Eurasia and North America. It is grown as a forage grass throughout the temperate regions and one of the most important rangeland grasses of North America. It is drought tolerant and is also used for erosion control since its extensive root system produces a strong soil-holding ability. Its stiff, flat leaves are blue-green, topped with golden flower spikes and have an evergreen presence in many cool climates. It adapts to a variety of soils, and is generally considered tolerant of cold temperatures and wind.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Vegetative Plugging,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

For optimal plant health, Crested Wheat Grass should be watered once a week during the growing season. However, watering frequency may require adjustment based on local climate and soil conditions. In soils with low water-holding capacity, such as sandy soils, the frequency of watering may need to be increased. In addition, during extended hot and dry periods, additional irrigation may be required to maintain plant health. When watering, make sure to provide enough water to get down into the root zone; a good rule of thumb is to apply 1-2 inches of water.

sunlight

Crested Wheat Grass (Agropyron cristatum) thrives in an environment with good access to direct sunlight. For optimal growth, the plant should receive at least 8 hours of direct sun exposure per day, ideally during the summer and early autumn seasons when temperatures are warmer and sun intensity is higher. Different levels of light or shade can be tolerated, although full or partial shade can reduce its vigor and lead to reddish-brown or yellowish-gray dry leaves. When planted in areas with plenty of direct sunlight, the plant will remain around 40 centimeters high and will thrive a deep green color.

pruning

Pruning of Crested Wheat Grass should be done at the beginning of the growing season in late spring or early summer. Cut the plant down to 3–4 inches (7.6-10.2 cm) above the soil line using sharp shears or scissors to avoid splitting the stems. Prune the whole plant, leaving only 1–3 individual shoots. This pruning most often results in healthier looking and denser plants with better overall vigor and increased potential for seed production and harvest.