List 3 – Helictotrichon sempervirens

Helictotrichon sempervirens (blue oat grass)

Family: Poaceae

 3.1 helictotrichon sempervirens

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Size:

  • 60-70 cm wide
  • 60-90 cm tall

Form:

  • Clump-forming

Soil & Water requirements:

  • Average, dry to medium soil
  • Well-drained
  • Drier soil produces stronger blue colour

Exposure:

  • Can tolerate light shade, but best in full sun

Leaves:

  • Flattened, blue-grey leaves
  • Narrow, spiky, leaves form rounded clumps
  • Dead leaves accumulate at the base
  • Evergreen grass; mounding clumps remain over winter

Flowers:

  • Inflorescence are straw coloured; 1m + in height
  • Single sided panicles of flowers; occurring at the top of upright stems, arching at the top
  • Bloom time – June

Maintenance:

  • Run hand through grass to collect dead leaves

Suitable uses:

  • Rock garden
  • Border planting
  • Container planting

Propagation:

  • Clumps can be divided in the spring

Other:

  • Widely available
  • Tolerant of air pollution, deer and drought
  • Long lived; stays put; not weedy

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