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Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats)

North America Wild Oats, Northern Sea Oats, Spangle Grass, Sea Oats, Inland Sea Oats, Indian Wood Oats, Wild Oats, River Oats, Flathead Oats, Upland Oats, Upland Sea Oats

Chasmanthium Latifolium, North America Wild Oats, Northern Sea Oats, Spangle Grass, Sea Oats

One of the most shade-tolerant ornamental grasses, Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats) is a robust spreading deciduous grass. It is noted for its distinctive, drooping seed heads in late summer, which hang from slightly arching stems and flutter when caressed by the softest of breezes. This grass provides good fall color, with its seed heads turning purplish bronze and its bright green leaves turning a coppery color after frost. Excellent for dried flower arrangements.

  • The beautiful arching lines of Chasmanthium latifolium help create magnificent and elegantly mobile combinations in the landscape. Highly versatile, it is perfect for borders where this grass will easily combine with other plants, cottage gardens, shade gardens, rain gardensalong ponds and streams, or in prairie plantings.
  • Growing easily in an upright clump about 2-5 ft. tall (60-150 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm), it enjoys full sun or part shade in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor soils, but moist, fertile soils are preferred.
  • Chasmanthium latifolium is pest-free, disease-free, requires very little care, and provides almost year-round interest. Deer resistant!
  • Cut back to the ground in early spring.
  • Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in early summer
  • Native to the central and eastern United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Poaceae
Common names Indian Wood Oats, Northern Sea Oats, Sea Oats, Wild Oats, Inland Sea Oats
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' - 5'
(60cm - 150cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18"
(30cm - 50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Showy
Native Plants United States, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kansas, Indiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Recommended Companion Plants

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kaskade’ (Chinese Silver Grass)
Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ (Switch Grass)
Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ (‘Autumn Joy’)
Mertensia virginica (Virginian Bluebells)
Hosta (Plantain Lily)
Astilbe
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Poaceae
Common names Indian Wood Oats, Northern Sea Oats, Sea Oats, Wild Oats, Inland Sea Oats
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' - 5'
(60cm - 150cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18"
(30cm - 50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Showy
Native Plants United States, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kansas, Indiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

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