Blue Dune Lyme Grass: Description, Care & Landscape Benefits
Product Description
Leymus arenarius ‘Blue Dune’ (Blue Dune Lyme Grass) is a bold, steel-blue coastal grass bred for impact and performance in sun-baked, sandy sites. Upright blades form dense clumps that send out running rhizomes, creating fast, erosion-controlling cover with shimmering wheat-like spikes in early to midsummer. Exceptionally salt- and drought-tolerant, it thrives in poor, sandy soils and seaside conditions. Use where strength is an asset—on dunes, banks, and exposed borders—or grow in large containers to showcase the color while containing spread.
Quick-Glance Specs
| Attribute | Details |
| Botanical Name | Leymus arenarius ‘Blue Dune’ |
| Common Name | Blue Dune Lyme Grass; Blue Lyme Grass |
| Plant Type | Cool- to warm-season perennial grass (rhizomatous) |
| Native/Non-native | Non-native (Europe; cultivar) |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–9 |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun |
| Moisture | Dry to medium; prefers well-drained, sandy soils |
| Mature Height | 24–36″ foliage; 36–48″+ in bloom |
| Mature Spread | 24–36″+ clump; spreads by rhizomes |
| Growth Habit | Upright clumps with running rhizomes (can be aggressive) |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Fragrance | None |
| Bloom Time | Early to midsummer (wheat-like flower spikes) |
| Seasonal Interest | Spring–winter; steel-blue summer foliage, straw-gold winter color |
| Foliage & Features | Striking steel-blue blades; architectural vertical spikes |
| Landscape Features | Salt & drought tolerance, erosion control, bank stabilization |
| Landscape Uses | Coastal plantings, dunes, sandy slopes, xeric borders, large containers |
| Soil | Sandy/gravely, well-drained; tolerates saline and poor soils; avoid heavy wet clay |
| Water Needs | Low once established |
| Maintenance | Low; cut back late winter/early spring; manage runners |
| Deer/Pest Resistance | Generally deer resistant; few serious pests |
| Container Friendly | Excellent in large containers to control spread |
| Recommended Spacing | 18–24″ for quick cover; allow room for rhizome spread |
Care & Growing Information
- Site & Light: Plant in full sun for best color and sturdy habit.
- Soil & Water: Prefers lean, sandy, well-drained soils; once established, it is very drought tolerant and handles salt spray. Avoid heavy, waterlogged clay.
- Containment: Rhizomatous and can be aggressive. Use a root/rhizome barrier or site where spread is welcome. Containers provide excellent control.
- Planting: Set crowns level with soil. Water to establish, then reduce. Minimal fertilizer—rich soils can promote excessive running.
- Maintenance: Cut back old foliage in late winter/early spring. Edge or spade out unwanted runners periodically.
Key Features
- Iconic steel-blue foliage with upright wheat-like blooms
- Salt- and drought-tolerant—ideal for coastal and xeric sites
- Rhizomatous stabilizer for sand, dunes, and banks
- Low maintenance and deer resistant
- Strong architectural presence in mass or as a color accent
Problems
- Few serious issues. Root/crown problems may arise in poorly drained soils. Can outcompete neighbors—use barriers or containers where spread is a concern.
Uses in the Landscape
- Dunes and coastal banks for stabilization and salt tolerance
- Sandy slopes and hot, exposed sites needing fast cover
- Xeric borders and gravel gardens for bold color contrast
- Large containers to showcase steel-blue foliage without spread
Availability / Ordering
- Sizes Offered: #1 Gallon, 4″, DP-50 Plug
- Recommended Spacing: 18–24″ for quick coverage; monitor and manage rhizomes.
Why You’ll Love It
- Unbeatable steel-blue color in the toughest sunny, sandy sites
- Salt-proof, drought-proof performance with minimal care
- Architectural texture and fast stabilization where you need it most
Quick Highlights
A salt-tough, steel-blue rhizomatous grass—‘Blue Dune’ delivers fast stabilization, drought resilience, and bold color for dunes, sandy slopes, and modern coastal designs.
