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Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue oat grass)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1.4m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Helictotrichon sempervirens
Other names
Blue oat grass, Avena sempervirens
Genus
Helictotrichon Helictotrichon
Species
H. sempervirens - H. sempervirens is a densely tufted, evergreen grass with rigid, blue-green leaves and large, open panicles of small, straw-coloured spikelets on erect stems in early and midsummer.
Helictotrichon sempervirens is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Compact, Dense, Erect
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Pale-brown in Summer
Foliage
Silvery-grey, Blue-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Crown rot , Rust Crown rot , Rust
General care
Pruning
Remove old flower stems and dead foliage in spring.
Propagation
Divide in spring every 2 or 3 years. Can also be grown from seed in a cold frame at a likewise time.
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue oat grass) will reach a height of 1.4m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Rock
Cultivation
Grow in poor to somewhat fertile, alkaline to neutral, well-drained soil in full sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
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
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Helictotrichon sempervirens
Other names
Blue oat grass, Avena sempervirens
Genus
Helictotrichon Helictotrichon
Species
H. sempervirens - H. sempervirens is a densely tufted, evergreen grass with rigid, blue-green leaves and large, open panicles of small, straw-coloured spikelets on erect stems in early and midsummer.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Compact, Dense, Erect
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Pale-brown in Summer
Foliage
Silvery-grey, Blue-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Remove old flower stems and dead foliage in spring.
Propagation
Divide in spring every 2 or 3 years. Can also be grown from seed in a cold frame at a likewise time.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue oat grass) will reach a height of 1.4m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Rock
Cultivation
Grow in poor to somewhat fertile, alkaline to neutral, well-drained soil in full sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
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: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009
There are 3 active discussions about Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue oat grass)
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