Common Name: Siberian Wheatgrass
Scientific Name: Agropyron fragile ssp. Sibericum
Native / Introduced: Introduced
Main Uses:
~Pasture and rangeland planting
~In areas prone to drought
~Wildlife habitat improvement
Height: 1 - 3 feet
Root Type: Bunchgrass
Growing Season: Cool
Soil Types: Most soil types
Tolerances: Drought
Sun or Shade: Full sun
Minimum Precipitation: 5-14 inches
Lifecycle: Perennial
Planting Seed Rate: 5-8 lbs/acre
Estimated Seeds Per Pound: 206,000
Optimal Planting Season: Fall or spring
Planting Depth: 1/4-1/2 inches deep
Category: Grass
 
Description: 
Siberian Wheatgrass (Agropyron fragile ssp. Sibericum) is a cold-season bunchgrass native to central Eurasia. Growing 1-3 feet tall, it's a popular choice for arid regions in the Western United States. It is similar to standard crested wheatgrass, but more drought-tolerant, later maturing and more palatable. Siberian wheatgrass does well on shallow to deep, moderately coarse to fine textured, moderately well to well drained soils. It is not as aggressive as similar subspecies.
 
Siberian Wheatgrass, known for its winter hardiness, is frequently employed in reclamation endeavors, particularly for soil stabilization. It serves as a valuable resource for grazing and hay production, offering high nutritional value, particularly for cattle, sheep, horses, and elk during the spring season. With its resilience to drought, fibrous roots, and strong seedling growth, it's an excellent choice for reclamation in regions with 8 to 16 inches of annual precipitation.
 
NRCS Profile: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=AGFR
NRCS Plant Guide: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_agfr.pdf
NRCS Fact Sheet: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_agfr.pdf
 
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin