Magellan rye grass (Elymus magellanicus)

Magellan rye grass (Elymus magellanicus) is a grass plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Magellan rye grass (Elymus magellanicus).
This plant has several common names including: Magellan rye grass, Magellan wheatgrass or blue wheatgrass.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Magellan rye grass, Magellan wheatgrass, blue wheatgrass
Scientific name: Elymus magellanicus
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
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Spring | ||||
Summer | ||||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |

How to plant Magellan rye grass (Elymus magellanicus) – Sabina Bajracharya, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Magellan rye grass (Elymus magellanicus), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Magellan rye grass (Elymus magellanicus) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH acid or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Elymus magellanicus likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Magellan rye grass (Elymus magellanicus) should be grown in full sun places.