Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Kathy Ketchum

Blue Oat Grass

Latin Name:

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Dense, rounded clump grass. Bluish-green blades that become graceful and arching with maturity. Produces brown oat-like seed heads. Overwater affects leaf color

Taxon ID#

40 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4 Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

Acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay.

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Poaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Grass

France and Italy

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Other

Foliage Description:

Features very narrow (3/8" wide), spiky, steel blue leaf blades (to 18") which form a rounded, porcupine-like clump.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Other

Flower Description:

Spikelets of bluish-brown flowers arranged in open, one-sided panicles arching at the tip appear on erect stems rising well above the foliage clump in June. Flower spikelets mature to a golden wheat color by fall.

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Golden wheat color

Winter Foliage:

Semi-Evergreen

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

2-4'

Mature spread:

2-3'

Growth rate:

Slow

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

Native to central and southwest European grasslands

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

yes

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Adds Texture/Movement:

yes

First Bloom:

Jun

Last Bloom:

Jun

Ornamental Accent:

yes

Garden Observations:

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

Fall Care:

Grasses do not need to be cut down before winter. In fact, they are attractive when left standing and the foliage helps to insulate the crown of the plant.

Winter Care:

Evergreen in milder climates, the leaves die back in harsher winters; use a rake to remove the old foliage or cut back close to the ground in late winter. It is more semi-evergreen in harsh winters where foliage decline will occur. In these areas, plants

Long Term Care:

Insect Pests:

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Rust may be troublesome in humid climates, though this cultivar reportedly has good resistance. Crown rot may occur in moist, poorly drained soils.

Care Comments:

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

USDA Plants:

Calscape Database:

LBJ Native Plant Database:

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285347

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Kathy Ketchum

Blue Oat Grass

​

​

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

40

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

Acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay.

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Grass

France and Italy

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Other

Foliage Description:

Features very narrow (3/8" wide), spiky, steel blue leaf blades (to 18") which form a rounded, porcupine-like clump.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Other

Flower Description:

Spikelets of bluish-brown flowers arranged in open, one-sided panicles arching at the tip appear on erect stems rising well above the foliage clump in June. Flower spikelets mature to a golden wheat color by fall.

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Golden wheat color

Winter Foliage:

Semi-Evergreen

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

2-4'

Mature spread:

2-3'

Growth rate:

Slow

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

Native to central and southwest European grasslands

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

​

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no