Helictotrichon
( hel - lik - toh - TRY - kon )
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At-A-Glance InformationKnown commonly as Blue Oat Grass, this genus of evergreen perennial grasses includes species which need full sun and regular water to perform well in the landscape. Species are native to Africa, North America and Eurasia, and form clumps of upright narrow foliage. Flowers are borne on thin stems and are held above the foliage in late spring through the middle of summer. Use these grasses to add structural, fine-textured contrast in borders and beds, in rock gardens or containers, or even as a low-maintenance groundcover.
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Helictotrichon Species and Varietals
The genus Helictotrichon includes over 100 species and is a member of the plant family Poaceae. These grasses grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-12 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Helictotrichon sempervirens (Avena sempervirens, Avena candida) (Blue Oat Grass, Blue Oats Grass)
This species of grass is native to the Mediterranean and has narrow, blue-grey leaves that form a mound 2-3 feet tall and just as wide. This grass looks a bit like a giant Blue Fescue, wit a more graceful habit. Springtime flowers are borne on 4-5 foot tall stems and are straw-colored.
This species of grass is native to the Mediterranean and has narrow, blue-grey leaves that form a mound 2-3 feet tall and just as wide. This grass looks a bit like a giant Blue Fescue, wit a more graceful habit. Springtime flowers are borne on 4-5 foot tall stems and are straw-colored.
'Golden Hour'
With particularly bright golden-tan flower plumes. 2-3 feet tall and wide. |
'Pendula'
With more graceful, drooping foliage than the species. To 1.5-2 feet tall and wide. |
'Sapphire'
Mid-sized to with intense steel blue foliage. 2-3 feet tall and wide. |
Caring for Helictotrichon
Install grasses 36 inches apart for best coverage and airflow; if planting as a dense mass-planting (good for hillsides), space between 18 and 24 inches apart. Plant them in full sun; ideally, they like to receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for best growth rate and color. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these grasses are considered drought-tolerant, and can get by on little to no supplemental water, especially when grown in shade. Avoid overhead watering; water deeply but infrequently.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These grasses are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. In early springtime, cut the foliage down to just 3-6 inches to encourage healthy new growth. Helictotrichon is a perennial grass that can survive for 5 to 10 years in the landscape in optimal conditions.
Caring for Helictotrichon in Containers
Blue Oat Grass does well in the ground but can also be grown in containers, providing lush foliage and winter interest to balconies and patios. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. These grasses, when grown in containers, will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season and cut the entire plant back to 3-6 inches in late winter or early spring. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. Blue Oat Grass will also need to be divided every few years; for instructions on how to divide these grasses, see the Propagation section below.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These grasses are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. In early springtime, cut the foliage down to just 3-6 inches to encourage healthy new growth. Helictotrichon is a perennial grass that can survive for 5 to 10 years in the landscape in optimal conditions.
Caring for Helictotrichon in Containers
Blue Oat Grass does well in the ground but can also be grown in containers, providing lush foliage and winter interest to balconies and patios. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. These grasses, when grown in containers, will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season and cut the entire plant back to 3-6 inches in late winter or early spring. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. Blue Oat Grass will also need to be divided every few years; for instructions on how to divide these grasses, see the Propagation section below.
Propagation
The best way to propagate these grasses is though division of existing plants. To propagate your Blue Oat Grass, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Helictotrichon by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or fall. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Helictotrichon by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or fall. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Separate the removed patch of grass into sections using a sharp, clean knife or trowel. Ensure that each division has a healthy root system and a few shoots. Any dried out areas with dead roots can be tossed in the compost.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with well-draining soil and compost and work it in. Water thoroughly, and then plant divisions.
- Keep soil consistently moist as the newly-planted divisions establish strong root systems in their new home. Provide regular waterings, especially during dry spells.
Problems and Pests
Helictotrichon grasses can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Root Rot
- Rust
- Powdery Mildew
Gallery
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This drought tolerant natural woodland landscape features Hakone Grass, Euphorbia, Hardy Geranium, Hellebore, and Thuja 'Collyer's Gold'.
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Videos
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Learn about designing with Blue Oat Grass.
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Why you should be growing these grasses in your garden.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 357, Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oat Grass)
