Wimmera ryegrass
Lolium rigidum · Poaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant wimmera ryegrass: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, light to medium green
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (April-July)
- Mature size
- 30-60 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, tolerates harsh winters
- Origin
- Mediterranean region and Middle East
- Soil type
- Well-drained, tolerates poor to moderately fertile soils
Care
Watering
Rigid ryegrass is a very drought-tolerant grass once established. Water moderately during planting and the first weeks of growth. Once mature, occasional watering during extended dry periods is sufficient. Avoid excess moisture, which promotes rot.
Sunlight
Plant in full sun for optimal growth and better foliage quality. Rigid ryegrass also tolerates partial shade but will be less dense. This grass appreciates sunny, well-aerated positions.
Soil
This species adapts to most soils, even poor and chalky ones. Well-drained soil is essential to prevent root suffocation. No organic matter is necessary, though drainage is the key to success.
Pruning and maintenance
Cut the grass in spring before new growth, to about 10 cm from the ground, to encourage branching and density. You can remove dried flower spikes in late summer if appearance matters to you. Minimal maintenance is generally sufficient.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is necessary. Rigid ryegrass grows on poor soils and risks becoming too vigorous with excessive nitrogen input. A light application of compost in spring may be sufficient on very degraded soils.
Diseases and pests
This grass is very disease-resistant. In very humid and poorly aerated conditions, watch for fungal rot. Good air circulation and well-drained soil prevent most problems. Pest infestations are rare.
Did you know?
Rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) was long considered a weed in cereal crops around the Mediterranean, before being valued for its ornamental and ecological qualities. Its name "rigidum" refers to the characteristic stiffness of its upright flower spikes. It plays an important role in restoring arid and depleted soils and attracts pollinating insects during its flowering period.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Tufted hair grassDeschampsia cespitosa
- Wavy hair-grassAvenella flexuosa
- Purple moor-grassMolinia caerulea
- Reed canary-grassPhalaris arundinacea
- Common quaking grassBriza media
- Creeping soft-grassHolcus mollis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.