Blue oat grass

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Larger evergreen ornamental grass than blue fescue, forming rounded fountains of silver-blue narrow foliage topped by airy tan oat-like flower panicles in early summer.

Hardiness ratings

Blue oat grass hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H6 −20 °C to −15 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −29 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 2–5 −10 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Plant as a specimen in gravel beds, mixed borders, and as foundation planting — the larger structural blue grass for mid-border use
  • Comb out dead foliage in spring rather than cutting back
  • Demands sharp drainage — resents winter wet, which is the main cause of plant failure
  • Drought tolerant once established

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Blue oat grass against your zones

Reference

Blue oat grass on Wikipedia