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Helictotrichon sempervirens is often confused with:
Festuca glauca Festuca glauca
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Armeria maritima Armeria maritima
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Sedum Flowers

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
hel-lik-toh-TRY-kon sem-per-VY-renz
Description

Helictotrichon is a cool-season ornamental grass that is easily grown in dry to medium well-drained soil, with the best color of the blue foliage appearing in dry conditions.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Floricyle
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#low maintenance#slopes#ornamental grass#well-drained soil#summer flowers#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#groundcover#clumping#dry soils tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#low maintenance#slopes#ornamental grass#well-drained soil#summer flowers#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#groundcover#clumping#dry soils tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Helictotrichon
    Species:
    sempervirens
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southwestern Alps in France, Italy
    Distribution:
    Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Brown/Copper
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Blue oats grass has one-sided drooping clusters of pale blue flowers on 4 ft. arching stems.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    This has long, narrow leaves on arching stems which taper to a fine point and roll inward.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Pollution