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Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue oat grass)

Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

(Based on 1 user review)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Helictotrichon sempervirens hel-ik-toe-TRY-kon sem-per-VEER-enz

Common Name: Blue oat grass Synonyms: Avena candida, Avena sempervirens Genus: Helictotrichon

Dramatic powder blue foliage and spiky architecture are hallmarks of this plant. The leaves resemble rigid, tapering pieces of steel blue linguine collected in a porcupine-like dome.
Noteworthy characteristics: Combines well with purple- or silver-leaved plants.
Care: Grow in well-drained, poor to moderately fertile, alkaline soil. Tolerates gravelly, infertile soils. Remove dead leaves and old flowers in spring. Tolerates drought once established.
Propagation: Sow seed in spring, or divide clumps in spring.
Problems: Rust.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread	1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit	Clumps
Light	Full Sun Only
Moisture	Dry to Medium
Maintenance	Low
Characteristics	Showy Foliage
Uses	Beds and Borders
Style	Rock Garden
Seasonal Interest	Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type	Grasses

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posted by beelman
2/12/2011
Region: Mountain West
Zone: 5

Very blue and very hardy easy to grow round grass. Lovely, narrow seed heads radiate from the grass and make this grass a nice specimen. Drought tolerant.

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