Also known as Avena sempervirens, blue oat grass is an perennial, ornamental grass that has attractive thin gray-green, or blue leaves (Fig. 1). Leaf blades grow to about 12 inches long and are ½ inch wide and taper to a fine point. Plants grow 18 to 30 inches tall. The glaucous foliage provides a welcomed contrast to a green border. Beige terminal panicles are produced in June through August, maturing to a light brown by the fall when they break apart and fall from the plant. Attractive, light brown fall foliage color persists throughout the winter.
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant
Use and Management
Blue oat grass is attractive as a single accent plant in a very small garden, or it can be massed in groups for a beautiful, fine-textured drift. Blue oat grass prefers a full sun exposure, but will tolerate light shade. It prefers a moist soil that is well drained, however it will tolerate sandy as well as heavy clay soils. No more than yearly fertilization is needed to keep plants healthy. Propagate by division.
They are often planted about 2 feet apart so they form a solid mass of fine-textured foliage. Blue oat grass looks nice in a rock garden planted by itself, or more commonly in groups in front of a shrub border or in a row along a walk. They should last for many years with little care.
Pests and Diseases
Blue oat grass may be prone to foliar diseases when grown in shade.
