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Leymus condensatus 'Gaviota Gray' (Gaviota Wild Rye) - A large upright gray-blue evergreen grass (new foliage emerges green) that grows 4 to 5 feet tall in a drier location and slightly larger if given regular watering. The erect flower stalks rise 1-2 feet above the foliage and are topped with tight congested clusters of spikes of wheat-colored blooms.
Plant in full sun to light shade but color is best out in full sun. It is drought resistant but looks better with occasional irrigation along the coast and needs it in inland and in desert gardens. Best to cut this plant back once a year or every other year in late winter to let new growth emerge. It is drought resistant and hardy to below 10 degrees F.
Leymus condensatus is native to California and northern Mexico. The name for the genus is an anagram of Elymus, the name that this plant long was known by and current treatment by California botanists has returned it to its original name but not all are in agreement. At the time of this writing (2024) this plant is listed in the Jepson eFlora as being in the genus Elymus, while the Royal Botanic Garden Kew's database continues to use Leymus. The name Elymus is derived from the Greek word 'elyo' which means rolled-up or covered in reference to its grain being covered by the flower palea and lemma.
'Gaviota Gray' is a native Santa Barbara county cultivar that we grew and sold from 2009 to 2014 after receiving it in January 2000 from Santa Barbara landscape contractor Dave Frantz, who selected it from a natural population of Leymus condensatus growing near the Gaviota Hot Springs just north the Santa Barbara. It is very similar to another upright selection from UC Berkeley that was named 'Lottie's Choice'. We continue to also grow the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's introduction Leymus condensatus 'Canyon Prince'.
This information about Leymus condensatus 'Gaviota Gray' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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