Virginia Wild Rye

Virginia wild rye is a cool season, native, perennial bunchgrass grass. It is shade tolerant, grows to heights of 2-3 feet, and prefers moist, fertile soil. Virginia wild rye produces shiny dark green forage with a blue green seed head. The seed head produces food for ducks and geese when planted next to standing water. The forage is nutritious and very palatable to all types of livestock. If used for pasture, it should not be grazed in its establishment year. It performs best under rotational grazing in the cool-seasons of the year.