Blue Oat Grass

Blue Avena Grass

Helictotrichon sempervirens

hel-lik-toh-TRY-kon sem-per-VY-renz
2 to 4 ft.
2 to 4 ft.
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low

tan

end of May to June

2 to 4 ft.

2 to 4 ft.

No

Europe

sun, part shade

USDA zones 4-9

hardy to 8,500 ft.

Blue oat grass is a graceful, arching ornamental grass with bluish-gray leaves. The thin, spiky leaf blades form a porcupine-like clump. Blue Oat Grass is similar in shape and color to the ornamental blue fescues, except larger.

After flowering at the end of May into June, the tan seedheads are quite attractive throughout the summer, creating an arching fountain form. In the Pikes Peak area, this highly adaptable and decorative grass is a good choice.

low

tan

end of May to June

2 to 4 ft.

2 to 4 ft.

No

Europe

sun, part shade

USDA zones 4-9

hardy to 8,500 ft.

At the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden and throughout the Colorado Springs area, blue oat grass is a hardy, reliable ornamental grass. Flowers are abundant and showy, and the dried grass blades left on the plants for winter interest are quite attractive.

It is important to protect newly transplanted plants from rabbits, since they love to eat this grass when it is young.

Blue oat grass greens up very early in spring. In order to remove the dead growth, cut to ground level at the beginning of January.