Blue oat grass - Inland Valley Garden Planner

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Blue oat grass — <em>Helictotrichon sempervirens</em>

Description

Blue oat grass is a striking evergreen perennial grass with distinctive blue-gray foliage and a clumping habit that can reach 24-30 in. high. Tall wheat colored inflorescences develop in early summer and grow 6-12 in. above foliage.

Blue oat grass is well suited as a contrasting element in mixed perennial plantings, rock gardens and containers. Native to the western Mediterranean region, it is a cool season grass that grows best with good drainage and regular moisture throughout the year; avoid planting in garden spaces with hot afternoon sun. It grows well in containers, along dry stream beds and among flowering perennials on banks and in parkways.

Water Needs

Blue oat grass grows well in sunny locations with moderate amounts of supplemental water throughout the year. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several winter months marked by an asterisk (*) when rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Low Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 2

	Jan*	Feb*	Mar*	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov*	Dec*
Runs per Month	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x
Inches per Run	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"

Inches per Month	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"

Range of supplemental summer water: 7"-14"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-10"

0"-2"

1"-2"

0"-2"

Jan*

Feb*

Mar*

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov*

Dec*

For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Grass
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Upright, Graceful, Clumping
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height: 24 in. - 30 in.
Width: 24 in. - 30 in.
Water Needs: Low 2
Foliage Color: Blue green
Flower Color: Cream
Flower Season: Summer
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil
Exposure Adaptations: Wind, Heat, Cold hardy, All day sun
Function: Rock gardens, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Parks and open space, Grouped, Foliage accent plant, Container plant, Commercial spaces, Borders, Banks, Small spaces