Tall Wheatgrass 'Jose Select' is a perennial bunchgrass native to Turkey and Russia that brings ornamental grace to prairie gardens and restoration landscapes. Growing 3 to 5 feet tall with narrow, upright spikes that fade to an attractive straw-yellow or golden brown, this cultivar was selected specifically for its ornamental value and architectural presence in the garden. Hardy from zones 3 through 9, it thrives in full sun with moderate moisture and low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a dramatic vertical element that performs beautifully in cold climates.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-9
60in H x 48in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The 'Jose Select' cultivar stands out for its striking winter appearance, retaining its upright form and warm golden tones long after frost arrives. Unlike the wild species, which can sprawl to 9 feet, this selection caps out at a more garden-friendly 3 to 5 feet while still commanding attention. It grows happily in clay soils that would challenge many ornamental grasses, and it handles both drought and alkaline conditions with ease, making it remarkably adaptable to difficult garden sites.
Tall Wheatgrass 'Jose Select' serves primarily as a field grass and forage crop, but this cultivar has transitioned into ornamental landscaping and prairie restoration work. Its upright habit and winter color make it valuable for naturalistic garden designs, windbreaks, and erosion control in challenging soils where conventional ornamental grasses struggle.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
No care instructions available yet for this variety.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Tall Wheatgrass has a practical heritage rooted in the rangelands of Turkey and Russia, where it evolved as a hardy forage grass. The 'Jose Select' cultivar represents a deliberate selection for ornamental garden use, identifying plants with superior upright form and attractive winter color. This breeding work transformed a utilitarian field grass into a garden-worthy specimen that maintains its architectural qualities throughout the seasons.”