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Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern sea oats, Spangle grass, Wild oats)

Chasmanthium latifolium Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Chasmanthium latifolium kaz-MAN-thee-um lat-ih-FOE-lee-um Common Name: Northern sea oats, Spangle grass, Wild oats Synonyms: Uniolia latifolia Genus: Chasmanthium
Northern sea oats is a loosely tufted, clump-forming grass with lance-shaped, arching mid-green foliage that turns yellow in winter. Summer brings highly decorative oat-like panicles of flat, green flowerheads that shimmer and rustle in the wind, aging to bronze by late summer.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Dried spikelets are great for arrangements. Cut before they are fully mature.
 Care: This native to the eastern U.S. and northern Mexico is easy to grow in full sun or shade, in fertile, well-drained soil with ample moisture. Cut down in late winter. Drought tolerant once established.
 Propagation: Easy to start from seed. Divide between midspring and early summer.
 Problems: Usually trouble-free.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Drought Tolerant
Characteristics Native; Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time Early Fall; Fall; Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color Brown Flower; Green Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Cut Flower, Dried Flower, Naturalizing
Style Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Winter Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Grasses

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