Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats) - Plugs

Northern Sea Oats are a most ornamental native grass, with arching, oat-like seed clusters.  Sea Oats are long lived, and will spread by seed to form a uniform mass in moist, shady to partly sunny sites.

Northern Sea Oats range from Pennsylvania to Kansas, south to Texas and Florida.  Wide-ranging and adaptable to nearly any garden soil condition, Northern Sea Oats have recently become very popular in stylized natural landscaping.

Uses

Northern Sea Oats are a great filler for landscaped areas, and especially proliferate in moist, well-drained shady spots.  Since it grows around 2-3 feet tall (5 feet is mentioned, but this is only in very moist, rich locations in sunny spots), it makes an excellent staple plant in a landscape, setting a great backdrop for other flowering perennials and even shrubs.

Northern Sea Oats host a number of butterfly and moth species, making them a great addition to backyard habitats.  The highly ornamental seed heads remain over the winter, offering songbirds seed.  They are also striking backlit by late fall and winter sun, almost glowing among warm-hued turning leaves and fading grasses.

How to Grow Northern Sea Oats

Plant Northern Sea Oats 18 inches apart in rich, moist soil for best results.  We suggest planting in clumps of 5-7 at least, even planting drifts of 30 or more.

Northern Sea Oats also does well in average, clayish garden soils, though height will be less in these situations.  They do very well under limbed-up trees, as well as at forest edges.

We provide Northern Sea Oats both in Quart SuperPlugs and RootMaker 32 trays.  Both options will establish quickly, filling in completely by the second year.