Chasmanthium latifolium
Blooming Time
Exposure
Native to wooded slopes and moist thickets of southeastern North America, northern sea oats is one of our most endearing harbingers of autumn, and is one of the few grasses that performs well in shade. Especially valuable for its flattened fishscale-shaped dangling floral spikelets, these first appear pale green in midsummer before changing to reddish brown then maturing to soft tan during fall. They are carried upon thin nodding stems, well above its fresh vibrant green foliage, and dry nicely – therefore contributing to winter effect. Hardy and long lived, northern sea oats is a superb ground cover and accent plant.
Details
Hardiness Zone:
Blossom Color:
Tan to Brown
Growth Habit:
Clump Forming
Max Height:
4'
Texture:
Recommended Spacing:
We sell this plant in these containers:
Special Characteristics
Features
Native species with charming fishscale-shaped dangling flower spikelets that change from pale green in midsummer to soft tan during fall. Native species.
Landscape Value
Superb specimen, edging plant, accent, or companion. Also excellent as a large-scale ground cover when mass planted.
Care
Watering:
Northern Sea Oats is moderately drought tolerant but benefits from occasional watering, to maintain soil in a moist but not wet condition, during the summer months.
Fertilizing:
Northern Sea Oats is a moderate feeder, benefiting from a couple of annual applications of slow release fertilizer. A spring application of a 3-1-2 ratio (such as a 15-5-10) can be applied at a rate of about 10 pounds per 1000 square feet, and during early fall, an application of a 2-1-2 ratio (such as a 10-5-10) can be applied to encourage root development and cold hardiness.
Pruning:
Northern Sea Oats should be enjoyed all winter long, then, during early April before it begins to grow again, it should be pruned or mowed back to ground level.