List 3 – Helictotrichon sempervirens
Helictotrichon sempervirens (blue oat grass)
Family: Poaceae
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