Grass - Northern Sea Oats

Northern Sea Oats

Botanical Name

:

Chasmanthium latifolium

Plant Type

:

Warm season perennial ornamental grass

Seasons

:

Grows in spring and summer, flowers in late summer

Sun Level

:

Prefers partial to full shade, ideally in 4-6 hours of sunlight

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

55–65°F (13–18°C)

Soil Type

:

Prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates clay and sandy soils

Hardiness Zones

:

5–8 (USDA)

Germination

:

14–21 days. Seeds need exposure to 30-60 days of cold before they will germinate

P.H. Level

:

6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Water/Irrigation

:

Water consistently for new plants, then switch to deeper, less frequent watering. Once established, it is drought-tolerant

Fertilization

:

Light application of balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring if soil is poor

Habit

:

Clump-forming, arching grass with bamboo-like leaves and dangling seed heads

Propagation

:

By seed (fall sowing recommended) or division in early spring

Final Plant Height

:

24–48 inches

Spread

:

12–36 inches

Spacing

:

18–24 inches apart

Flowers

:

Flat, drooping seed heads that resemble oats; green in summer, turning bronze in fall

Attracts

:

Birds (for seeds), butterflies, and other pollinators

Uses

:

Ornamental landscaping, erosion control, rain gardens, dried flower arrangements

Companions

:

Black-eyed Susan, Joe Pye Weed, Coneflowers, Little Bluestem

Pruning

:

Cut back old foliage in early spring before new growth appears. Although not essential, light prune container plants to remove broken branches for aesthetics

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans and pets

Pests

:

Rarely affected by pests but may attract grasshoppers

Diseases

:

Generally disease-resistant but may develop leaf spots in overly wet conditions

Expert Care Tips

:

Northern Sea Oats spread aggressively by self-seeding, so deadhead seed heads if you want to control its spread

Botanical Name

:

Chasmanthium latifolium

Plant Type

:

Warm season perennial ornamental grass

Seasons

:

Grows in spring and summer, flowers in late summer

Sun Level

:

Prefers partial to full shade, ideally in 4-6 hours of sunlight

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

55–65°F (13–18°C)

Soil Type

:

Prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates clay and sandy soils

Hardiness Zones

:

5–8 (USDA)

Germination

:

14–21 days. Seeds need exposure to 30-60 days of cold before they will germinate

P.H. Level

:

6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Water/Irrigation

:

Water consistently for new plants, then switch to deeper, less frequent watering. Once established, it is drought-tolerant

Fertilization

:

Light application of balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring if soil is poor

Habit

:

Clump-forming, arching grass with bamboo-like leaves and dangling seed heads

Propagation

:

By seed (fall sowing recommended) or division in early spring

Final Plant Height

:

24–48 inches

Spread

:

12–36 inches

Spacing

:

18–24 inches apart

Flowers

:

Flat, drooping seed heads that resemble oats; green in summer, turning bronze in fall

Attracts

:

Birds (for seeds), butterflies, and other pollinators

Uses

:

Ornamental landscaping, erosion control, rain gardens, dried flower arrangements

Companions

:

Black-eyed Susan, Joe Pye Weed, Coneflowers, Little Bluestem

Pruning

:

Cut back old foliage in early spring before new growth appears. Although not essential, light prune container plants to remove broken branches for aesthetics

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans and pets

Pests

:

Rarely affected by pests but may attract grasshoppers

Diseases

:

Generally disease-resistant but may develop leaf spots in overly wet conditions

Expert Care Tips

:

Northern Sea Oats spread aggressively by self-seeding, so deadhead seed heads if you want to control its spread

Written by Salome Wapukha – https://www.linkedin.com/in/salome-wapukha-556700193/