Summary
Wild oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is a low-maintenance, clump-forming perennial grass that grows 2-5’ tall. Rigid stems arise from a dense root system and display light green, linear-lanceolate, bamboo-like leaves that are 1” wide and 5”-9” long. By early summer the stems are topped with an open panicle of showy, distinctive herringbone-patterned seed heads. These flat green seedheads (¾”–1½” long and ½” wide) dangle in clusters along gently arching stems, becoming animated at the slightest breeze. In mid-to-late summer, the seed heads mature to a tan color that holds through the winter to offer an ornamental element to the garden. An early spring cut-back will tidy plants for the new season. Cut stems are excellent for fresh and dried flower arrangements.
This cool season grass thrives in average to moist soils in full to part sun. It prefers fertile, well drained sites, but can tolerate poor and rocky soils. The fibrous and vigorous root system that makes this plant a convenient soil stabilizer can also make removal from a garden difficult. Harvesting stems before seeds mature will reduce unwanted seedlings.
Wild oats is a great accent plant for contrast and texture in the naturalistic garden when combined with black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida), blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium), and blue-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago caesia). In a wildlife garden the plants provide shelter and food for small birds and mammals and are a larval host to caterpillars of Northern Pearly Eye butterflies and several species of skippers. Formerly Uniola latifloia. Zones 3-8
More Details
- Plant Type
perennial-grass - Sun/Shade Conditions
full-sun-to-partial-shade - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average-to-moist - Flowering Period
summer - Soil PH
adaptable - Flower Color
green - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
tan - Other Common Names
Inland oats, Inland sea oats, Sea oats, Northern sea oats, Indian wood oats, River oats, Flathead oats, Upland oats, Upland sea oats - Fruit/Seed Color
brown
Additional Information
Missouri Botanical Garden, Illinois Wildflowers, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center