top of page

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:
Kathy Ketchum

Taxon ID#

59

Upright, clump forming grass with interesting, airy seed heads. Great for a dry, rocky location. Indian rice grass is a 1-2 ft., perennial bunchgrass. The sage-green, wiry foliage and ivory-colored seed heads give the grass an overall light, airy appearance.

Scientific  Name:

Achnatherum hymenoides

Common Name 1

› Indian Ricegrass

Family:

Poaceae

Origins:

East of the Cascades from BC to CA, E to Manitoba, MN, Western KS, Western TX & New Mex.

Plant Type:

Grass
Common Name 2

› Indian Millet

Common Name 3

› Sandgrass

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

Scroll down for more information on each topic

Plant Maintenance Information

Landscape Application Information

Seasonal Care

Resource Links

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

3

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

VL

Soil Preference:

Prefers sandy course textured soils in its southern areas of adaptation and can be found on sands, fine sandy loams, silt loams, clay loams, gravelly, rocky, to shale areas in the mid-northern areas of its adaptation

Fertilizer Needs:

Indian ricegrass stands respond well to light irrigation and light fertilization

Recommended Mulch:

None

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Numerous, mostly basal, blades slender, rolled, often as long as the culms; sheaths fringed on one margin only; leaves rolled in the bud; ligules up to 3/8 inch long, membranous, pointed, sometimes split; auricle absent.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Yellow

Flower Description:

Wide spreading panicle inflorescence with a single flower at the end of each hair-like branch

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Tan

Winter Foliage:

Semi-Evergreen

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

8-30"

Mature spread:

24-36"

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Dry grasslands and deserts of the North American Intermountain basin: East of the Cascades from B.C. to CA, East to Manitoba, MN, western KS, western TX & northern Mexico

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

For livestock and wildlife: highly palatable. It is a preferred feed for cattle, horses and elk in all seasons. It is considered a preferred feed for sheep, deer and antelope in spring and a desirable feed for sheep, deer, and antelope in late fall and wi

Photo:
​

Hedge/Screen:

no

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

no

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Cover Structures:

no

First Bloom:

Jun

Last Bloom:

Adds Texture/Movement:

Sep

Ornamental Accent:

yes

yes

Garden Observations:

​

Application
Anchor 1

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Cut back the foliage to about 4-6 inches in the spring before growth resumes. When foliage is removed, spring growth will begin earlier. Old foliage left on the plant can delay the crown's warming and subsequent growth by as much as 3 weeks.

Summer Care:

​

Fall Care:

Grasses do not need to be cut down before winter. In fact, they are attractive when left standing and the foliage helps to insulate the crown of the plant.

Winter Care:

​

Long Term Care:

​

Insect Pests:

Grasshopper

Wildlife Pests:

​

Diseases:

​

Environmental Problems:

Indian ricegrass establishes slowly and new seedings should not be grazed until at least late summer or fall of the second growing season. New stands should not be grazed until the plants are reproducing by seed. Indian ricegrass benefits from grazing use

Landscape Problems:

​

Care Comments:

This species should be seeded with a deep furrow drill at a depth of 1/2 to 1 inch on medium to fine textured soils and 1 to 3 inches on coarse textured soils. A deeper planting depth puts the seed in contact with moist soil conditions, which aids in the

bottom of page