Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) is a grass plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens).
This plant is commonly known as blue oat grass.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: blue oat grass
Scientific name: Helictotrichon sempervirens
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Architectural, Coastal
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) – Sten Porse, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Helictotrichon sempervirens likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) – Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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