Helictotrichon Species, Blue Oat Grass

Helictotrichonsempervirens

Family
Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Helictotrichon (hel-lik-toh-TRY-kon)
Species
sempervirens (sem-per-VY-renz)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Cream/Tan
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

El Sobrante, California

Groveland, California

Groveland-Big Oak Flat, California

Los Angeles, California

Martinez, California

Salinas, California

Santa Rosa, California

Denver, Colorado(2 reports)

Boise, Idaho

Evanston, Illinois

South Bend, Indiana

Louisville, Kentucky

Middle River, Maryland

Quincy, Massachusetts

Allendale, Michigan

Mason, Michigan

Whitehall, Montana

Omaha, Nebraska

Reno, Nevada

Denville, New Jersey

Haddonfield, New Jersey

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Enid, Oklahoma

Harrah, Oklahoma

Altamont, Oregon

Klamath Falls, Oregon

Pine Grove, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Rowlett, Texas

Park City, Utah

Pleasant Grove, Utah

Riverton, Utah

Santaquin, Utah

Tremonton, Utah

Essex Junction, Vermont

Keller, Virginia

Bellingham, Washington

East Port Orchard, Washington

Ferndale, Washington

Palouse, Washington

Parkwood, Washington

Port Orchard, Washington

Valleyford, Washington

White Center, Washington

Beverly, West Virginia

Casper, Wyoming

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

10
positives
4
neutrals
2
negatives
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P
Allendale, MI | April 2016 | positive

I am in zone 5b with heavy clay soil. The oat grass is doing well and is maintaining it's shape and color. It has shown no signs of being...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | October 2015 | neutral

This evergreen blue-foliaged grass is very beautiful where it does well. Around Boston, I see more plants performing poorly than performi...Read More

R
Downingtown, PA | January 2014 | positive

It is a reliable and handsome ornamental grass with soft, very blue foliage. I find it better than the smaller Blue Fescue grass that som...Read More

L
Bonners Ferry, ID (Zone 6b) | June 2013 | positive

I've grown this plant for years. I've tried a couple of methods to maintain it including cutting it back in late winter each year or rak...Read More

V
Denville, NJ | June 2013 | positive

Prickersnall, there are photos of Blue Oat Grass on the right side of the page. If you click on "click here to see all photos" you will s...Read More

P
Madison, WI | June 2013 | neutral

I hope I can post a question...2 in fact:

What does the seedhead look like, and is any nutritional helpful in promoting......Read More

J
Roswell, NM (Zone 7a) | February 2011 | neutral

Will not tolerate clay even when kept dry.

L
| January 2011 | positive

To the Mtngardener in Colorado, Helictotrichon sempervirens (blue oat grass) is strictly clump-forming. That means it does not grow by u...Read More

B
B
Whitehall, MT (Zone 4a) | May 2010 | positive

I've had the plant about 8 years now, and it still looks lovely. We live in zone 4 and have an annual rainfall of 11" so like drought to...Read More

T
Underwood, IA | January 2009 | negative

I have tried to grow this plant several times (Iowa) with no luck. It lives for about two months gradually deteriorating until it finall...Read More

I
I
Redwood City, CA | December 2008 | negative

In the San Francisco Bay Area, the blue oat grass that I see looks fresh and blue when newly planted, and then ages very poorly, very qui...Read More

M
Longmont, CO (Zone 5a) | December 2008 | neutral

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 l...Read More

J
Port Orchard, WA | December 2007 | positive

In addition to the previous comments blue oats grass does nicely in combination with blue fescue and other ornamental grasses and is a bi...Read More

N
West Chazy, NY (Zone 4b) | March 2005 | positive

I have only good things to say about this grass.
Beautiful blue-green foliage.
Nice, neat mound.
Keeps its good look...Read More

S
(Zone 8a) | July 2003 | positive

I have to agree that this is probably the best blue grass around for ornament apart from the equally superb Koeleria glauca.

...Read More

N
Morris, IL (Zone 5b) | May 2002 | positive

Divides very easily. Tolerates part shade very well. Did not tolerate being flooded one year very well, but a snippet lived on to be divi...Read More

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