Helictotrichon sempervirens - Blue Oat Grass

More enduring than blue fescues, blue oat grass is the best choice for accents. The clear blue summer foliage echoes with dwarf blue spruce and blue junipers. For a dramatic effect, try Helictotrichon with deep maroon leaved canna lilies.

Blue oat grass is such an imposing sight that is has the ability to stop anyone dead in their tracks.

Note: We previously listing Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Saphirsprudel' as a separate plant, but we now list it under Helictotrichon sempervirens as we find no difference between the two in colour or in form.

Description: cool season; clump forming
Foliage is blue; 6 mm (1/4") wide; 50-60 cm (20-24") in height
Flowers in June through August; 50-100 cm(20-40") tall

Ideal conditions: full sun or light shade; fertile, moist soil; grows in a wide range of soil; good drainage is essential

Coldest zone: 3 (customers have reported growing this successfully in Winnipeg and Saskatoon, two very cold cities in Canada) (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness)

Partner with: Artemesia, Nepeta, Stachys, Rudbeckia, Penstemon, Cotinus coggygria (purple smoke bush), Rosa glauca, Allium sphaerocephalum

Season of interest: year-round in milder climates

Native to: meadows and dry hillsides Eurasia, western Mediterranean

Recommended plant spacing: 45-90 cm (18-36") why such a difference?

Drought tolerance rating: 2 (water to root depth once every 2 weeks); further info

Pronunciation: Helictotrichon (hel-ik-toh-TREE-kon) sempervirens (sem-per-VEYE-renz)

More ornamental grasses

Compare Helictotrichon sempervirens to our other grasses in this handy chart.