Meadow barley is a perennial bunchgrass native to California and Oregon that grows 1-2 feet tall. It has blue-green leaves that turn golden in summer and fall, and bears flattened flower spikes above the foliage from May to July. Seeds can lodge in animal fur. Meadow barley is often used as a nurse plant and provides good habitat for birds. It is drought tolerant but stays greener with occasional summer water, and tolerates seasonal flooding in wet areas. It is a sensible substitute for non-native ornamental grasses.

1. Meadow Barley – Hordeum brachyantherum ssp. californicum
(HOR-dee-um brak-ee-AN-ther-um ka-li-FOR-ni-kum)
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
Native to: Much of California to OR; meadows, pastures, streambanks in grasslands, coastal sage
scrub, oak woodlands and other forests & woodlands.
perennial bunchgrass
mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Cool-season perennial bunchgrass with blue-green leaves fading to golden in summer/fall. Erect to
slightly spreading, rather open tuft. Moderate growth rate. Moderate/short lifespan (3-10 years
depending on conditions).
Growth characteristics:
Summer-blooming (May-July). Flowers along flattened spikes above the foliage.
Portion of flower spike remains through winter. Note: seeds can lodge in animal’s hair,
Blooms/fruits:
Showy.
skin.
Uses in the garden: Often used as a nurse plant for longer-lived native grasses, shrubs.
Useful for
streambanks and other wet areas. Nice ornamental species, particularly when massed.
Good
addition to native meadow, natural (un-mowed) lawns. Does fine under trees (dappled sun).
Sensible substitute for: Non-native ornamental grasses.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Grazed by larger mammals.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to dappled shade.
Any texture, pH; very adaptable. Moderate tolerance to saline, alkali soils.
Quite drought tolerant (Zone 1-2) but will stay green longer with occasional summer
water (Zone 2 or 2-3). Tolerates seasonal flooding.
None needed; probably fine with occasional light dose.
Plant from seed in well-weeded prepared soils (fall/winter) or from plugs/containers.
Keep area weeded until established. Can cut back to 4 inches every 2-3 years to improve vigor.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: low germination rates
by divisions: yes, fall/winter
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 5, 10, 16
1/2/08
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