Add drama and cool blue-green hues to any sunny garden space with this well-behaved perennial grass.
This toughornamental grassis easy to grow and resistant to trouble from deer, drought, and even air pollution.
It is also frequently used to add soft texture to rock gardens.
Credit: Charles Mann
Or, plant it in arock gardenand enjoy the soft blue hue among the browns and grays.
You could also nestle it in a contemporary garden to gain its standout color and texture.
Just be sure to choose a location with full sun and well-draining soil.
Credit: Charles Mann
Backfill the hole, tamping down as you work, and water the plant thoroughly.
Light
Blue oat grass grows best in full sun (at least 6 hours per day).
It can tolerate partial shade, but too much shade will increase the likelihood of foliar diseases like rust.
Blue oat grass can also tolerate sandy andclay-based soils, but poorly drained soils often cause crown rot.
Supplemental watering is rarely necessary after the first year.
In these mild climates, the ornamental grass remains evergreen.
Credit: Blaine Moats
Fertilizer
Blue oat grass does not require fertilizer.
In the late winter, cut the foliage back to about 3 inches above ground level.
Usesterile pruning shearsor a powered hedge trimmer for quick and easy removal.
Credit: Perry L. Struse
Simply remove dead foliage as necessary to make room for new growth and improve air circulation.
In poorly drained soils, crown rot can also occur.
How to Propagate Blue Oat Grass
The easiest way to propagate blue oat grass is via division.
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
It can be divided every three or four years in spring.
Replant the divisions and water them regularly to encourage strong root growth.
Blue oat grass can also be propagated from seed, but successful germination rates are low.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Protect the area with a cold frame over the winter.
If successful, your seeds should germinate the following spring.
Dwarf bluespruceandjuniperoffer evergreen blue foliage that complements bristling clumps of blue oat grass.
Agastache
Agastacheis a group of hard-working perennials, most of which are heat and drought-tolerant.
Like blue oat grass, they are showy garden additions with spikes of flowers atop tall, herbaceous stalks.
Agastache is hearty in zones 4-10.
Ajuga
Ajugais a low-maintenance groundcover that offers colorful, crinkled foliage in zones 3-10.
It can handle both shade and sun (but mostprefer at least partial shade).
Ajuga grows best in well-drained, moist soil but is somewhat drought-tolerant.
These tough native plants bloom in midsummer and the tall varieties look especially appropriate among shrubs and ornamental grasses.
Average soil that holds some moisture is sufficient for black-eyed Susans in zones 3-10.
Once established, they are fairly drought-tolerant.
When fully open, the large ball-shape blossoms are magnets for pollinators.
They are also stunning in floral arrangements.
Globe thistles are hardy in almost all climates (Zones 3-10) andtolerate poor soil conditions.
Russian Sage
Russian sageis an herbaceous perennial that is hardy in zones 4-9.
Russian sage prefers full sun (the hotter the better) and medium to dry, well-drained soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blue oat grass is not considered invasive.
It is a non-native ornamental grass but does not spread via stolons or underground rhizomes like other grasses.
Blue oat grass is capable of self-seedingbut it rarely does so.
If volunteers pop up, enjoy the addition or simply remove them.
Blue oat grass andblue fescue(Festuca glauca) bear many similarities but are different plants.
Both are clumping, cool-weather, perennial grasses from the Poaceae family.
Both are native to Europe and semi-evergreen.
Both blue oat grass and blue fescue prefer full sun and well-drained average-to-dry soil.
However, blue oat grass tends to have sturdier blades and grow taller than blue fescue.
Blue oat grass is deer- and rabbit-resistant.
