Lolium perenne
perennial rye grass
Fast-growing, loosely-tufted evergreen, perennial grass about 1m in height, with mid-green to blue-green leaves and distinctive greenish-brown flower spikelets arranged tightly and alternately on opposite sides up the flowering stem. In many countries it has widespread use in lawn seed mixtures or turf, a crop for grazing, soil stabilising and pasture improvement
Other common names
English rye grassever grass
see moreperennial rye grass
ray
ray grass
red darnel
rye grass
white nonesuch
Synonyms
Lolium perenne var. tenueSize
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Brown | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming, Tufted
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun. Suited to lawns and turf and spread is indefinite so may be difficult to contain unless regularly maintained or used in a wild garden
Propagation
Propagate by seed in early spring or autumn, or by division from mid spring to early autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
- Garden edging
- Ground cover
Pruning
Cut down dead growth in autumn
Pests
May be susceptible to chafer grubs in lawns
Diseases
May be susceptible to a rust
Get involved
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