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| Category: Grass |
| Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) (Grasses) |
| Origin: Mediterranean (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Light Blue |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F |
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Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oat Grass) - A cool season evergreen clump-forming grass that grows to 2 feet tall by up to 3 feet wide with blue-gray leaves radiating out like a bristly porcupine. The light tan flowers are on erect spikes that rise a foot above the foliage in mid-summer, though flowering is not as strong or commonly seen in southern California as in areas with cooler winters. Plant in full sun or light shade and give occasional irrigation. This plant remains evergreen in mild climates but is considered semi-evergreen in areas that experience harsher winters and is hardy to USDA zone 4 and perhaps 3. In these areas it is best to trim plants back close to the ground in late winter. It performs best in soils with good drainage and may rot in heavy soils, especially if over irrigated. The blue color seems best in dryer soils when plant is in full sun or bright shade; too much shade and the plant flops over and opens up in the middle. Maintain plants by removing withered leaves as they appear or by occasionally pulling a steel rake through the foliage. This stunning European grass has long been one of the most popular grasses we have grown, but observations over time of plantings of it have us questioning its suitability as sustainable plant in our mediterranean climate, particularly in warmer southern California where it tends to last only a few years but does seem to perform better in cooler northern California. It is native to central and southwestern Europe (France to Italy) and, where it is happy, it is a great grass for use as an accent plant or in mass plantings. The genus name Helictotrichon comes from the Greek words 'helictos' meaning "twisted" or "spiral" and 'trichos' meaning "hair" or "spine" in reference to the twisted awns with the specific epithet meaning evergreen. Helictotrichon sempervirens won the coveted Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1993.
The information about Helictotrichon sempervirens that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
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