High Country Gardens
Great Basin Wildrye
Best low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking drought-tolerant privacy screening.
The Great Basin Wildrye is a striking, native ornamental grass known for its impressive height and cool-season growth. It boasts stunning blue foliage and produces tan flower spikes in late spring, adding early visual interest to your landscape. This waterwise and deer-resistant perennial thrives in full sun and is ideal for specimen plantings or screening. Its fast growth rate and low maintenance make it a robust and beautiful addition to western, southwest, or coastal California gardens, offering a sophisticated look with minimal effort.
$12.59
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
864
/ 3268
#864 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-54%
Below average
Mature Height
6072
/ - inches
Who it's for
- Gardeners in arid climates seeking low-maintenance xeriscaping solutions
- Landscapers wanting unique vertical texture and seasonal garden movement
- Homeowners needing to stabilize slopes or prevent soil erosion
Who should skip it
- Families with small children or pets playing in the yard
- Gardeners who prefer low-maintenance beds without frequent deadheading
- People looking for a uniform, carpet-like lawn or groundcover
Performance breakdown
Drought Tolerance
Thrives with minimal supplemental water once established in arid landscapes.
Visual Impact
Striking blue foliage provides a sophisticated architectural element for garden beds.
Maintenance Ease
Requires very little intervention to maintain its robust, healthy growth habit.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer, protecting your garden investment from common wildlife damage.
Growth Rate
Establishes quickly to provide immediate screening and vertical garden interest.
Climate Versatility
Highly adaptable across a wide range of USDA hardiness zones.
Key Specs
Mature Height
60-72 inches
Mature Spread
18-24 inches
Ships As
Potted Plant
Neonicotinoid Free
Yes
Non-GMO
No
Growth Habit
Ornamental Grass
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
USDA Hardiness Zones
4-9
Features
- Striking blue foliage
- Native and waterwise plant
- Deer resistant
- Provides early spring blooms
- Fast-growing
- Low maintenance
- Excellent for screening
- Adds winter interest
What customers say
Customers consistently highlight the remarkable reliability of Great Basin Wildrye, noting its exceptional hardiness and ability to thrive in challenging, arid environments. Reviewers frequently praise the quality of the starter plants, which establish quickly and require minimal ongoing maintenance. This grass is seen as a highly dependable solution for native landscaping and erosion control, offering vigorous growth and excellent ground cover without fuss.
Know before you buy
You can expect this ornamental grass to reach a mature height of 60 to 72 inches. Because of its significant vertical growth, it works best as a backdrop or a tall screening element.
No, it is a waterwise plant that thrives with minimal irrigation. Once it has settled into your landscape, it is quite drought-tolerant and well-suited for low-water garden designs.
Great Basin Wildrye is considered deer-resistant. While no plant is entirely immune to hungry wildlife, this variety is generally ignored by deer in favor of more palatable options.
This plant requires full sun to maintain its striking blue foliage and healthy growth habit. Planting it in a shaded area may cause the grass to lose its color intensity and become floppy.
Yes, it is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. It is a robust perennial that can handle a wide range of temperatures, including the cold winters found in higher elevations or northern regions.
With a mature spread of 18 to 24 inches, you should space them about 2 feet apart to create a dense, continuous screen. This allows enough room for each plant to develop its full, upright shape without overcrowding.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$13