Chasmanthium latifolium
Wood oats, Spangle grass, North american wild oats, Sea oats, Upland sea oats
Also known as Uniola latifolia
- Height × spread
- 1.1m × 0.45m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This pretty upright grass has exceptionally broad leaves that arch out from the upright stems somewhat like a bamboo. The flowering spikes are flat and hang gracefully from the open panicles. There are bronzed and brown autumnal tints too. The plant reaches around 1m (3ft) high if grown in moist soil in a sunny site. It can tolerate a dry shady site, but will look less glamorous under austere conditions.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Brown-bronze
- Fruit colour
- Beige
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1.1m
- Spread
- 0.45m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Winter
Winter - mid-late · Planting
Prune to the ground in winter
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts in spring.
Where stems are grown for ornamental value, they should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.