Contract Grower Native Rangeland Grasses produced by ESRS
Calgary, Alberta, 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!Like all rough fescue species foothills rough fescue does not set seed yearly and so access to seed can be limiting.
Fowl Bluegrass – Poa palustris
A prolific seed producing bunchgrass, also somewhat creeping due to stoloniferous properties. It is found in low areas, around wetlands throughout much of the area, valued for soil stabilization. Seed has been available as a byproduct cleaned out of other crops.Fringed Brome – Bromus ciliatus
This is an excellent woodland species with high productivity with moisture, but not drought tolerant. Fringed brome grows in the foothills, aspen parkland and Boreal regions of Alberta. This species is adapted to all forested community types and is a fast growing species that will provide site stabilization. Maximum productivity declines after about 5-6 years and will allow longer living species to take over.Giant Cord Grass - Spartina pectinata - PR
Related to the much more common alkali cord grass (S. gracilis) this species is confined to southern regions (with one boreal disjunct), and is much more robust, growing to 15 dm in height. It is strongly rhizomatous robust, and a superior reclamation species in moist/alkaline areas, but is slow to mature at northern latitudes. Thus, root propagation or plugs are recommended. Recently the species has been of special interest due to its high fiber properties.
Giant Wild Rye – Elymus piperi - PR
This species grows to around 2-3m tall and can yield a high biomass of fibre. Plants are robust, forming large clumps, and it is known to be a very long lived perennial. Giant wild rye is native to the southern Alberta. It grows on river terraces and sandy soils. It has deep roots capable of accessing deep soil moisture and is suitable for growth in areas used for cereal crops. This is a dryland species that is native throughout Alberta, British Columbia, and the North Western States.It is a C3 plant suitable for colder climates with adapted tolerance to harsh winters which many introduced species cannot handle. Current plot trials have maintained production of giant wild rye biomass and seed production without heavy fertilization for 21 years. It is one of the largest and most productive native grasses in Alberta, and with fertilization it is probable that this productivity can be increased, though is not required. The need for herbicides is limited to the first couple years of growth until the stand is established. After this it becomes extremely competitive due to vigorous growth and height of the plant.
Giant wild rye is a potential forage species and so research and development as a forage must progress. Silage usage and potential cover crops should be researched as well as winter grazing potential and economic feasibility of production for forage assessed.
Please direct production enquiries to Greenhouse@easternslopesrangelandseeds.com
or Call us at 1-403-637-2473