Intermediate
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Arrhenatherum elatius (False oat grass)
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2 hours care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1.2m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Arrhenatherum elatius
Other names
False oat grass, Tall oat grass, French rye grass, Tall meadow oat, Onion couch, Tuber oat grass
Genus
Arrhenatherum Arrhenatherum
Species
A. elatius - A. elatius is a loosely tufted, deciduous, perennial grass forming chains of small, bulb-like, swollen stem bases, upright, linear, grey-green leaves and erect stems bearing green to purple flower spikelets from early summer into autumn.
Arrhenatherum elatius is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem
Flower
Purple, Green in Summer; Pale-brown, Green, Purple in Autumn
Foliage
Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Rust Rust
General care
Pruning
Cutting to the ground in midsummer with encourage a second flush of leaves. Remove dead foliage in spring before new leaves emerge.
Propagation
Divide every 3 years in mid-spring to early summer.
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Arrhenatherum elatius (False oat grass) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Planted in groups, Prairie planting, Waterside, Wildflower
Cultivation
Grow in most fertile, well-drained soils in sun or partial shade. Considered an invasive species in the United States, particularly in the West.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Will overwhelm plants less than 30cm tall.
Botanical name
Arrhenatherum elatius
Other names
False oat grass, Tall oat grass, French rye grass, Tall meadow oat, Onion couch, Tuber oat grass
Genus
Arrhenatherum Arrhenatherum
Species
A. elatius - A. elatius is a loosely tufted, deciduous, perennial grass forming chains of small, bulb-like, swollen stem bases, upright, linear, grey-green leaves and erect stems bearing green to purple flower spikelets from early summer into autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem
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Colour
Flower
Purple, Green in Summer; Pale-brown, Green, Purple in Autumn
Foliage
Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Cutting to the ground in midsummer with encourage a second flush of leaves. Remove dead foliage in spring before new leaves emerge.
Propagation
Divide every 3 years in mid-spring to early summer.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Arrhenatherum elatius (False oat grass) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Planted in groups, Prairie planting, Waterside, Wildflower
Cultivation
Grow in most fertile, well-drained soils in sun or partial shade. Considered an invasive species in the United States, particularly in the West.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
Will overwhelm plants less than 30cm tall.
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