Northern Sea Oats Grass

Northern Sea oats are a lovely North American native grass that makes an unusual addition to ornamental grass plantings. The seed heads look like flattened, paper thin pine cones and take on a showy, bronzed hue for fall. Birds are attracted to the seedheads throughout the winter and the standing foliage provides needed shelter for wildlife. This grass is also tolerant of salty seaside conditions and windy sites.rNative grasses have a reputation for being tough as nails and Northern Sea Oats is no exception. This grass will help to fill in meadow plantings, blend in with a modern all grass scheme or act as a “thriller” element in a large seasonal mixed container. Very drought tolerant and extremely low maintenance, with almost no pests or diseases. Plants do not get any easier to grow than Northern Sea Oats.rNorthern Sea Oats CarerNorthern Sea Oats will tolerate any kind of light conditions from full sun to mostly shade. Dry and poor soils are no match for this tough working grass. The driest areas will need extra irrigation for the first one or two years until this plant becomes well established. Fertilizing is rarely needed for ornamental grasse or native plants. Pruning is not an issue for grasses.rNorthern Sea Oats will need to be cleaned up just once a year. In the very late winter or early spring just as the very first signs of green new growth appear, it is the time to cut back the previous year’s foliage. Cut this down to about 6 inches from the ground. Some ornamental grasses can be tough to cut with hand pruners, but Northern Sea Oats is easy and doesn’t have the sharp edges of other grasses.rNorthern Sea Oats SpacingrNorthern Sea Oats are a more dainty variety of native grass and stay relatively small and compact. There is no need to worry about staking the branches one after a rainstorm. The mature height and width is 2-3 feet. Spacing plants at 2 foot on center will make for an impressive look that will not need dividing for 3-4 years.rrNorthern Sea Oats Grass InformationrrrrUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8rrrPlant Type: rrrLight Exposure: Full Shade to Full Sun (Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions)rrrMature Height: 2 – 4 Feet TallrrrMature Spread: 2 – 3 Feet WiderrrSpacing: 2 – 3 FeetrrrHabit: UprightrrrFlower Color(s): GreenrrrFlower Description: rrrBloom Period: rrrFoliage Type: HerbaceousrrrFoliage Color(s): GreenrrrFoliage Description: rrrSeasonal Interest: Winter InterestrrrWatering: AveragerrrResists: DeerrrrTolerates: DroughtrrrAttracts: BirdsrrrContainer Role: rrrUses: Borders, Mass Planting, Wetland Areas & Ponds, Wildlife GardensrrrFeatures: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance, Native to North AmericarrrBrand: American Beauties Native PlantsrrrCommon Name: Northern Sea Oats GrassrrrOther Name(s): rrrScientific Name: CHASMANTHIUM LATIFOLIUM