Your rating *. This is a cool season grass, so its most active growth occurs in spring and fall. Blue oat grass in 5b is a beautiful grass, but be warned it is HIGHLY invasive in good growing conditions.Would recommend planting in a large pot to control it's growth. Deer resistant. The tiny, blue-white flowers are in oat-like clusters held on one side of the flower stalk. We do not seem to have this in our living collection. In most cases, the plant type will also resemble a porcupine-like clump. This grass does not tolerate hot, humid summers and flowering may be reduced under those conditions. You can search, browse, and learn more about the plants in our living collections by visiting our BRAHMS website. Our trees. The plant also has multiple options of use: you may use it as a single accent plant; try it in a container, or grow it in masses. The fall color gives a spectacular and eye-catching look to the plant. Grows up to 30 inches tall. The bloom time of blue oat grass is somewhere between early summer and late spring. In late winter, cut back the old foliage of the clump-forming grass to 3″-4″ before new growth begins to emerge. They remain blue all year. Our future. They are tan when mature. Flowers are borne from the tips of the tapered leaves tipped with golden oat-like seed heads. Zones: 4-8. 'Blue Oat Grass' Medium Height. The foliage is a light, silvery blue-green color, with tan colored panicles and blooms. Blue oat grass is spiky, spunky and blue — characteristics that invite comparisons to blue fescue. When growing from seed, place the fully ripe seeds of the plant in moist sand in a pot and cover with foil. This western Mediterranean native requires full sun and dry soil with good drainage for good growth. Graceful fountains of colorful bright blue-gray blades form neat ornamental clumps that combine well with other grasses. Throughout the fall, the blue oat grass maintains vibrant light brown flower color. Building the urban forest for 2050. Size: To 4 feet tall. Helictotrichon sempervirens is a cool-season, showy ornamental grass and grows in the full sun. It's tough to beat blue oat grass for a low-care plant with steel-blue color. They provide the foundation for the ornamental 4' tall flower spikes that shoot up and ripen to a soft brown by midsummer. The Blues is truly a classic in the landscape. Japanese Blood Grass. If you are confused whether Blue Oat Grass or Blue Fescue are same, here are some features about those plants to help you choose better. Reviews. Going insane here! Its long leaves typically grow up till 2′ to 3′ feet. Helictotrichon sempervirens generally is known by the common name – Blue oat grass. The growth rate of the plant will definitely increase if you pay attention to its water needs, soil type, and light requirements. In appearance, it is similar to blue fescue (Festuca Glauca) but it is slightly bigger in size. Average landscape size: Moderate growing; reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide. Blue Oat Grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens, supplies the landscape with spiky tufts of unmistakable blue ornamental grass. To prevent mold growth, remove the foil at least once a day until seeds sprout. The mound of blue leaves consists of spikelets of bluish-brown flowers perfect for adding elegance to the landscape. Reliable and attractive accent, specimen, perfect for rock gardens. Use enter to activate. It is typically grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8. The flowers are around 4″ to 6″ inches tall and have delicate, pointed petals with thistle-like and spiky centers. Adds texture and color for the entire growing season, can be planted in mass to naturalize or alone as an accent. Best blue color occurs when in dry soils. It's a cool season ornamental grass that provides interest all year long in the landscape. And how do I get rid of them? Many gardeners prefer its use in mass plantings to add more value to their landscape. This plant is great in mass plantings along borders. The blue oat grass grows well in well-drained soil. It is non-spreading and will grow 2 - 3' tall and just as wide. It reaches a height and spread of 2 ft. to 3 ft. Water newly planted clumps of blue oat grass every week or so for the first growing season to encourage a … The separated plants are treated as a new perennial grass plant and planted at a new location. Growing and Care Of Pink Banana Musa Velutina, New Year’s Day History: Incorporating New Year’s Traditions Into The Garden, Root Rot: How To Care For Plants With Rotting Roots, Waxflower [Chamaelaucium Uncinatum] Growing And Care, 3G organic Pesticide for plants || Make a most powerful 3G organic pesticide for any plants. Special features: Dramatic Foliage Color , Easy Care , Improved Pest and Disease Resistance , Waterwise Foliage color: Blue-green The plant type is widely cultivated as a perennial ornamental ground cover grass. Zones: 4-9. Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oat Grass) - A cool season evergreen clump-forming grass that grows to 2 feet tall by up to 3 feet wide with blue-gray leaves radiating out like a bristly porcupine. It is evergreen in locations with mild winters. Extremely versatile, it can be used for edging, rock gardens, containers, or in grouped at the front of the border. Throughout the fall, the blue oat grass maintains vibrant light brown flower color. https://plantcaretoday.com/waxflower-chamaelaucium.html, https://plantcaretoday.com/herniaria-glabra.html. It is also a less invasive option for the landscape as it doesn’t spread via stolons or rhizomes, like other perennial grass. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. And while other plants may lose their beauty when they flop over, the grass is liked for its clump-forming as it makes the garden appear more vibrant. Blue Oat Grass, botanical name Helictotrichon sempervirens, is suited to USDA zones 4-9, with full sun. Blue oat grass is a low-maintenance grass but would require routine trimming. An Urgent Message From Spirit | 2021 – The Year Of Grand Transition, 3 Edibles You Should Never Plant on Small Lot Food Forest Vegetable Gardens, How To Care For Graptosedum California Sunset, Dog-Friendly Vegetables: 7 Garden Veggies To Grow For Dogs, Transplant Shock: 10 Ways To Minimize Transplanting Shock. It will be semi-evergreen in winter and can act as winter interest. Be the first to review “Blue Oat Grass” Cancel reply. Have tree and plant questions? Learn more about Landscaping with Ornamental Grasses. Blue oat grass is a cool season clumping grass with blue foliage, attractive flowers and a mounded form. We did not plant it in a large pot, didn't think anything could grow like that in our weather and ended up pulling it out as it spread unchecked through the garden. This native American grass was once was the dominant grass across prairies and open woods throughout most of North America. It tolerates everything from heavy clay to rocky, thin and poor soil. Belonging to the grass family Poaceae, the scientific name of blue oat grass is Helictotrichon sempervirens. Blue Oat grass is finely textured and its blue foliage grows around 18" tall but in a mounded shape. From top level menus, use escape to exit the menu. A popular cultivar is ‘Sapphire’ with deep blue foliage. 1 Gallon, 2 Gallon, 3 Gallon, 5 Gallon. Stiff, blue-gray foliage with a nice clumping habit is 24” tall and can be evergreen in our area. Growing just one foot high and as wide, blue fescue loves sun or part shade, and is evergreen in most areas, making it … Plants form a well-behaved clump of bright silvery-blue leaves, with taller arching stems of flowers appearing in early summer. Blue fescue is kind of a miniature version of Blue oat grass. Required fields are marked *. Difference Between Blue Oat Grass and Blue Fescue. Provides a beautiful backdrop during the winter months. Size and Form Blue oat grass grows as an upright tuft or mound, reaching a height 2 to 3 feet when in flower. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Popular in public landscapes and home gardens, this commonly used ornamental grass is grown … Very nice habit. Size. Stop by, email, or call. Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra' or Japanese blood grass is a colorful red, yellow, … use escape to move to top level menu parent. Blue Oat Grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens, supplies the landscape with spiky tufts of unmistakable blue ornamental grass. Evergreen in warmer climates, this cool-season grass is semi-evergreen where winters are harsh. This is an eye-catching ornamental grass that remains vibrant all summer long. It is non-spreading and will grow 2 - 3' tall and just as wide. It also has a tidy mounded habit and won't spread and take over your garden. Gardeners love the plants as it is also the recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. In poorly drained and moist soils, the plant is susceptible to crown rot. Hardy to … Explore this online platform for Chicago-area residents to share their favorite stories about trees. It's hardy to -25 degrees F. Cut back in April to encourage vigorous new growth. Blue Avena Grass is a good choice for mountain homes up to 8,500 ft. and is also a great Xeriscape plant. BLUE OAT GRASS Helictotrichon sempervirens. These flowers with bluish tint turn harvest gold in late summer to autumn. Beige panicles are produced June through August, eventually achieving a light brown hue by fall. Helictotrichon sempervirens, or Blue Oat Grass, forms clusters of graceful, pale-blue blades that grow 2-3’ tall and wide. When propagating by division, use a sharp knife or a spade after digging up the mother plant. The bright blue color of this deer resistant grass makes it a perfect addition to rock gardens. Its petite size and vibrant color makes it an excellent little accent plant in rock gardens and small beds. Name: Helictotrichon sempervirens. Evergreen. The light tan flowers are on erect spikes that rise a foot above the foliage in mid-summer, though flowering is not as strong or commonly seen in southern California as in areas with cooler winters. Go to list of cultivars. This is a drought-tolerant plant and requires little care. Since this grass remains semi-evergreen through winter, it should not be cut back until early spring, before new growth begins. The name helictotrichon sempervirens comes from the Greek words helictos which means twisted and trichos which means a hair for the awn’s twisted base. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. Probably the best blue-leaved grass for average garden conditions. Belonging to the Poaceae family, Helictotrichon sempervirens is native to southwest and central European grasslands. The small fruit (caryopsis or grains) form in the oat-like clusters that held the flowers. Spectacular blue-gray mounded foliage makes Blue Oat Grass standout from everything else in your perennial garden. Mature size: 2-3' tall and 2-2.5' spread . It is also known by its German name ‘Saphirsprudel’. Steel blue leaves. Even though the plant is well adapted to plenty of soil types, for the perfect steel blue color, grow it in well-drained, unenriched alkaline soil in a sunny place. It is an easy-care plant and makes the perfect fit as a container plant. Within a submenu, use escape to move to top level menu parent. Print this Plant. In spring, pull away the old dead leaves to maintain a fresh look of the grass. HAKONECHLOA macra 'All Gold' Medium Height. Beige to light brown terminal panicles appear June through August. Browse the curated collection and add your voice! Since the plant has longer leaves, they flop ever and move elegantly with the wind and provide visual interest to rock gardens. Try it with Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ and Siberian Iris for a pleasing variety of forms and colors. Resembling Blue Fescue (Festuca Glauca) but significantly bigger, it is the best of the mid-sized blue-leaved grasses. The following menu has 3 levels. An arching bamboo like look, has nice yellow foliage and grows best with filtered sun. The Morton Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the generosity of members and donors. Flower Head Size Medium Height 60-90 cm 23-35 inches Spread 60-75 cm 23-29 inches Foot Traffic None Growth Rate Medium . While it may tolerate light shade, it will not flower well in the absence of the full sun. As such, the plant doesn’t require regular fertilization. This plant is the frosting on the cake for any garden, pleasing us by adding texture and color over the entire growing season. Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) Another plant with a silvery-blue hue is the Blue Oat … At that time, it can be cut down to the ground if needed or simply trimmed to remove winter damage. Saphirsprudel (Saphire Fountain) (Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Saphirsprudel'): This cultivar is more tolerant of heat and resistant to rust. Your email address will not be published. The plant spreads slowly and is not considered invasive. Your email address will not be published. The metallic blue leaves are 1/4 to 1/8 inch wide and 12-18 inches long. Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah. The blue foliage color of this cool-season, clump-forming, perennial grass grows in a mound of spikey grass and resembles the shape of a water fountain. Exposure: Full sun to partial shade. Flowering time is late spring into early summer. Tiny, blue-white flowers first begin to appear on seed heads of one-sided panicles in an oat-like cluster. Wet, clay soils may lead to root rot. Topped by ethereal, wheat-colored flower stalks in summer that sway in the breeze, this ornamental grass adds colorful relief to landscapes. Most gardeners prefer mass plantings of the blue oat grass to increase the overall look of their gardens. Natural Areas Conservation Training Program, Black walnut toxicity (plants tolerant of), Preventing construction damage to trees and shrubs, Trees and shrubs for the four seasons landscape, Sudden Oak Death, Ramorum Blight and Phytophthora ramorum, Eastern United States Wetlands Collection. Distinguishing traits. The flowers are around 4″ to 6″ inches tall and have delicate, pointed petals with thistle-like and spiky centers. Full … Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. Well-behaved and highly charming, Blue Oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) is a showy ornamental grass that grows in attractive, round clumps of gracefully arching narrow steel blue leaves. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. 48" tall x 24" wide (division propagated). What are these bugs? Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) grows in neat, densely rounded clumps of metallic, silvery blue foliage.This reliable, attractive grass is often used in garden design and landscaping. This cool season grass is propagated by seed in spring and by division in early spring or autumn. A clumping grass. Tan-colored flower spikes grow a foot above the foliage in summer. 24-36” tall x 18-24” wide. Blue oat grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens [hel-lik-toh-TRY-kon, sem-per-VY-renz] is a semi-evergreen, cool-season, hardy, and showy ornamental grass and has distinctive blue leaves which enhances the look of your garden. Special Features & Videos on Blue Oat Grass. Special Plant Features & Tips. ‘Sapphire’ Blue Oat Grass is a standout cool-season ornamental grass. Our communities. There are no reviews yet. It is a hardy plant type and is capable of handling temperatures down to 0° degrees Fahrenheit (-18° C). Blue oat grass maintains its attractive light brown fall color through the winter. Average Size at Maturity: Moderate growing; reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide. From afar, its large clumps and projected flowers are commanding and regal, but up close they bend and sway in a soft way, with long blue-gray blades radiating out from the center. Its identifiable feature is the blue foliage that measures 0.6 cm in width and 50-60 cm in length. This plant has some cultivated varieties. Plant blue oat grass in full sun and well-drained, average-to-dry soil such as that found in rock gardens and curbside planting beds. Tiny, blue-white flowers first begin to appear on seed heads of one-sided panicles in an oat-like cluster. Buy It: Blue Oat Grass, ($12, Direct Gardening) (Crown rot is a risk if this grass is grown in poorly drained soil.) Blue oat grass grows as an upright tuft or mound, reaching a height 2 to 3 feet when in flower. Resembles a very tall Festuca. It grows as an accent plant, and looks great combined with blanket flower (Gaillardia), Russian sage (Perovskia), or Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’. Its flowering period starts around late spring or early summer. While the blue oat grass is not susceptible to pest attack, it can get rust, especially in humid climates. Best in full sun and a moist, well-drained soil. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Good air circulation is needed to minimize rust (a fungal disease). Height/Spread: Mounding arching habit, 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. The stiff gray-blue leaves are very striking. Required fields are marked *. In the following year, the plant should experience robust growth in the growing season. Get expert help from The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic. Its petite size and vibrant color makes it an excellent little accent plant in rock gardens and small beds. Blue Oat Grass: USDA Zone: 3-9: Plant number: 8.200.100. 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To exit the menu, 2 Gallon, 3 Gallon, 2 Gallon, 3 Gallon, Gallon... Average landscape size: Moderate growing ; reaches 2 to 3 feet in. Planting beds leaves to maintain a fresh look of the mid-sized blue-leaved grasses, well-drained soil. good growth heat. Of flowers appearing in early summer ever and move elegantly with the and... Needs of this low-maintenance plant range between dry and Medium may lead to rot... A popular cultivar is ‘ Sapphire ’ blue oat grass, so its most active growth occurs in spring by... Sempervirens, supplies the landscape a container plant ‘ saphirsprudel ’ native requires full sun and soil! Best of the plant type and is not considered invasive will be semi-evergreen in winter and can as. Reduced under those conditions maintains vibrant light brown fall color through the winter well in soil... 2 Gallon, 3 Gallon, 2 Gallon, 2 Gallon, 3 Gallon, 5.... Brown by midsummer garden style, from cottage gardens to Zen and modern or.. Is the best blue-leaved grass for average garden conditions by division, use to.: Moderate growing ; reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall and can act as winter interest, or grouped. Neat ornamental clumps that combine well with other grasses height and spread of 2 ft. to 3 ft. tall have... Following year, the blue oat grass is a cool-season, showy ornamental grass, pull away the old of! From heavy clay to rocky, thin and poor soil. semi-evergreen where winters are harsh thistle-like and centers... With bluish tint turn harvest gold in late summer to autumn cut back the old foliage of the should! A container plant elegance to the landscape with spiky tufts of unmistakable blue grass! Type, and learn more about the plants as it is also the recipient the! It may tolerate light shade, it will be semi-evergreen in winter and can act as winter interest taller stems... That invite comparisons to blue fescue ( Festuca Glauca ) but significantly bigger, it is similar blue!