Native plant producer, ESRS has been harvesting and producing native rangeland grasses as contract
growers since 1985.
If you have a project that requires large quantities of native species
we will either have it in our inventory or be able to produce it as a
custom order. No order is too large!
A palatable climax bunch grass in western regions, not unlike rough
fescue in growth form and size when pure stands are found. Locally,
however, the species is uncommon, and most likely will remain as wild
harvest, or in small plots as a source for greenhouse plugs.
An important component of climax grasslands in foothills/S. Rocky Mountains,
in some areas co-dominant with rough fescue. The species grows 3-10
dm tall and forms large bunches. It is valued as forage and for site
stabilization on dry slopes. Unless awnless varieties can be sourced
seed production is limited because of the stiff persistent awns.
- PR
A robust grass growing 2-3 m tall, with broad, flat leaves and plume-like
flower heads. Plants propagate vigorously by stout rhizomes and above
ground via horizontal rooting stems. Locally the species naturally occurs
in the boreal region but can be grown elsewhere provided moisture conditions
are high. Often producing exclusive colonies in wet places, it is valued
as wildlife habitat, for its superior soil stabilizing properties and
more recently, as a fiber species. Seed, however, is light, “fluffy”
and late to mature, and so propagation directly from cuttings or plugs
is recommended.
A small, very fine, tufted, early flowering grass common on dry slopes
and sometimes in prairie grassland. The species can be grown quite readily
from seed and once established, is valued for site stabilization. ESRS
material is currently in turf trials.
- PR
This is the provincial grass of Alberta. Rough fescue, or foothills
rough fescue is a major climax grass growing in the foothills and cordillera
in western Alberta and west into BC. It is a prized bunch grass that
forms dominant populations in well-managed grasslands in the foothills,
and readily appears from montane to subalpine areas in the event that
the tree canopy is removed. It is a palatable, high biomass species,
slow to establish from seed but hardy and very long lived once established.
This species is not recommended to be established from seed due to
the low reproductive success, plugs are much more effective. Research
plots on rough fescue seed production are being maintained and are eight
years old. Like all rough fescue species foothills rough fescue does
not set seed yearly and so access to seed can be limiting.
Please direct production enquiries to Greenhouse@easternslopesrangelandseeds.com
or Call us at 1-403-637-2473