Overview & Description

The Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) is a striking, cool-season evergreen perennial grass prized for its dramatic, spiky, mounded clump of tightly-rolled, intense silver-blue to grey-blue blades that maintain their colour throughout the year. In summer, it produces tall, narrow, wheat-like flower panicles that emerge with a similar blue hue before maturing to an attractive buff or golden straw colour, persisting into fall and providing extended interest.

Growth & Size

This variety exhibits a dense, rounded, mounding growth habit with arching, fountain-like foliage. It is a moderate-growing grass, typically reaching a mature size of about 12 to 18 inches in height with a spread of 18 to 24 inches. The flower stems rise an additional 12 to 18 inches above the foliage.

Additional Notes

It blooms in mid-summer. Hardy to Zone 3, it is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in full sun in well-drained, average to poor soils. It is deer and rabbit resistant, low-maintenance, and tolerant of urban conditions. An outstanding choice for rock gardens, borders, mass plantings, or as a specimen where its architectural form, striking blue colour, and texture provide year-round interest.