Blue oat grass is attractive as either an accent or a centerpiece, and is ideal to use in rock gardens. Blue oat grass vs Blue fescue. Well-behaved and highly charming, Blue Oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) is a showy ornamental grass that grows in attractive, round clumps of gracefully arching narrow steel blue leaves. Blue Oat Grass, botanical name Helictotrichon sempervirens, is suited to USDA zones 4-9, with full sun. While this may seem like a trivial distinction, rhizomatic grasses like bluegrass are much better suited for areas where erosion is likely to occur. It can be used as a groundcover for small areas or to complement larger installations. While both fescue and bluegrass can produce beautiful lawns, it is important to know their advantages and disadvantages so that you can choose which type is best for your yard. Fescues are cool season grasses so they look their best in spring and fall. Some such Garden Grasses information here, as Blue Fescue, Purple fountain grass, Mexican Feathergrass, Feather Reed grass, Switchgrass, Japanese Forest Grass, Maiden grass, Ravenna grass, Cordgrass, Northern Sea Oats. The plant may die back if the soils are too heavy and full of clay, so amend the area prior to planting with plenty of compost. Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon semervirens) is a dramatic ornamental grass with a blue hue and long upright blades. Kentucky Bluegrass Vs. Fescue By Richard Hoyt Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. 2-3 ft. (Zone 3) Forms a stiff, spiny vase-shape with metallic-blue foliage. Airy, beige to light brown, terminal … With its invasive nature, some homeowners view Bermuda as a nuisance. Blue Oat Grass Helictotrichon sempervirens. Blue foliage contrasts well with pink flowering perennials and many spring bulbs. Best blue color occurs in dryish soils. Other ornamental grasses which are lovely specimens for containers, rock gardens, and bed edges are available. Plants perform best in full sun, but tolerate light shade. Full sun. It is best suited to full sun and well drained soils. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Helictotrichon sempervirens - Blue Oat Grass . No serious insect or disease problems. Helictotrichon sempervirens, commonly called blue oat grass, is a clump-forming, cool season, ornamental grass which typically grows 2-3' tall (foliage clump to 2' and flower stem brings total height to 3') with a similar spread. Blue Oat Grass and Blue Fescue family is a major factor of Blue Oat Grass and Blue Fescue Scientific Classification. 1 star 1 star 1 star 1 star 1 star (0 reviews) Write review. Light Needs. While both go dormant and may turn brown in extremely hot weather, you can count on the these grasses to turn green again as soon as the rain and cool weather return. From afar, its large clumps and projected flowers are commanding and regal, but up close they bend and sway in a soft way, with long blue-gray blades radiating out from the center. Plant it in a rock garden and enjoy the soft blue … Flowers are borne from the tips of the tapered leaves tipped with golden oat-like seed heads. While earning her degree in counseling and psychology, she discovered that she enjoys various forms of writing. Yellow to light brown flower spikes that are two to three times the height of … Helictotrichon sempervirens - Blue Oat Grass is a blue- grey evergreen grass, hardy to about 0 F degrees. Blue oat grass. Add this elegant, ornamental specimen to a cottage garden to offer a cool contrast to warm green foliage and bright blossoms. Similar compact, spikey look as Blue Fescue, but Blue Oat Grass grows slightly larger and is more adaptable. Distinguishing traits. Evergreen ornamental grasses do not require pruning or cutting back in late winter or early spring unless their appearance demands it. Mar 14, 2015 - Blue oat grass. Close-up of fescue grass Image Credit: Katrina Brown/iStock/Getty Images Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and fescues (Festuca spp.) One of the best and most colorful of all Blue Fescue varieties, Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' is a wonderful dwarf ornamental grass, mostly grown for its superb, evergreen, bright silver-blue foliage. It's cool blue tones are complemented perfectly by the pale yellow flowers that appear in early summer. Order online for fast delivery! While this may seem like a trivial distinction, rhizomatic grasses like bluegrass are much better suited for areas where erosion is likely to occur. Sep 9, 2018 - Blue oat grass boasts one of nature’s most elusive plant colors along with panicles of brownish spikelets in fall that reach far above the foliage. 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