Agroelymus: A Rare Canadian Native Grass Worth Knowing
If you’re a collector of unique native grasses or someone who loves the idea of growing something truly uncommon, ×Agroelymus bowdenii (commonly known as agroelymus) might just pique your interest. This perennial grass is a bit of a botanical mystery – a rare hybrid that calls the western regions of Canada home.
What Makes Agroelymus Special?
Agroelymus is a perennial grass native to Canada, specifically found in Alberta and British Columbia. The × symbol in its botanical name (×Agroelymus bowdenii) indicates that this is a hybrid species, which explains why you won’t find much information about it in your typical gardening guides. It’s part of the larger grass family, sharing characteristics with other grasses, sedges, and grass-like plants.
Where Does It Grow?
This native grass has a fairly limited natural range, growing wild in just two Canadian provinces: Alberta and British Columbia. Its restricted distribution makes it quite special for gardeners in these regions who want to showcase truly local flora.
Should You Grow Agroelymus in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit challenging. Because ×Agroelymus bowdenii is such a rare hybrid, there’s very little documented information about its cultivation, growth habits, or garden performance. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for adventurous gardeners.
The Pros:
- It’s a true native species for Alberta and British Columbia gardeners
- As a perennial, it would return year after year once established
- Being a grass, it likely requires minimal maintenance
- You’d be growing something genuinely unique and rare
The Challenges:
- Extremely limited availability – you’re unlikely to find it at your local nursery
- Unknown growing requirements and garden performance
- No established cultivation practices or care guidelines
- Uncertain aesthetic appeal and landscape value
Growing Conditions and Care
Unfortunately, specific growing conditions for agroelymus aren’t well documented. Given its native range in western Canada, we can make some educated guesses that it’s likely cold-hardy and adapted to the climate conditions of Alberta and British Columbia. However, without specific cultivation information, growing this grass would be largely experimental.
Alternative Native Grasses
If you’re interested in native grasses but want something with proven garden performance, consider these well-documented alternatives native to western Canada:
- Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis)
- Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii)
- Northern wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus)
- Rough fescue (Festuca campestris)
The Bottom Line
×Agroelymus bowdenii represents one of those fascinating botanical mysteries that make plant exploration so exciting. While it’s a legitimate native species with potential garden value, the lack of cultivation information makes it a plant for the truly adventurous gardener rather than someone looking for reliable landscape results.
If you’re determined to grow truly rare native plants and don’t mind experimenting with unknown quantities, agroelymus could be an interesting project. Just be prepared for a journey into uncharted gardening territory, and make sure any plant material you acquire is ethically and sustainably sourced.
For most gardeners, sticking with well-documented native grass alternatives will provide better results and support local ecosystems just as effectively. But for the plant collectors and native gardening pioneers out there, agroelymus remains an intriguing possibility waiting to be explored.
