Chasmanthium latifolium

Northern Sea Oats

Drooping seed heads hang in clusters from slightly arching stems topping an upright clump of bamboo-like foliage. Green leaves turn copper in fall and the seed heads emerge green but turn purplish bronze by late summer then dry to a straw color. Clumping grasses like this provide nest sites and winter cover for quail and sparrows. They also provide fall and winter seeds for a number of birds including cardinals, towhees, juncos, sparrows and finches.

Benefits:

Grows well in full sun to partial shade

Provides nest sites, protective cover and food for birds

Use foliage and flower in fresh or dried arrangements

Good winter interest; very winter hardy

Deer resistant

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Easy to grow in full sun to part shade. Tolerates shade.

Plant in dry to moist, well-drained soil. Surprisingly drought tolerant.

Will self-seed.

Leave foliage in place over winter for winter interest and to provide homes for over-wintering critters. This also helps protect crowns from the cold. Cut back to the ground in early spring before new growth begins.

Height 3 Feet

Spread 1-3 Feet

Native Range Woods, thickets and bottomland; New Jersey to Illinois to Kansas south to Texas and Florida.

Native Trivia Northern sea oats is one of the few native grasses that grows well in shade. You can plant it in the border, shade garden, naturalized areas, along streams or on the edge of a water garden. It also grows well in large containers.

USDA Hardiness Zone 5-8

"This is one of the best grasses for the dry shady areas where chipmunks live."

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Low Grasses	Exposure • Sun • Filtered Shade	Soil • Wide soil tolerance	Soil Moisture Preference • Average • Moist • Dry
Attracts Wildlife • Songbirds	Bloom Time • Late Summer • Fall	Critter Resistance • Deer Resistant	Habitat Collection • Songbird • Dry Shade
Foliage Color • Green	Uses • Cut or dried flower • Drought tolerant