Helictotrichon sempervirens

Helictotrichon sempervirens (03/12/2011, London)

Position: Full Sun

Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Poaceae

Helictotrichon sempervirens is a non-invasive perennial evergreen grass with a tufted growth habit, forming a neat mound. The blue, grey and silver  leaves of the plant are tightly rolled leaves and some what rigid. The oat like flower heads of this plant provide an upright spray of grey flowers which can grow up to 1.2m in height.

Helictotrichon sempervirens, commonly known as Blue Oat Grass, is native  to the central European grasslands.

The etymological root of the binomial name Helictotrichon is derived from the Greek helix ‘spiral’ and trichos ‘hair’. Sempervirens is derived from the Latin semper ‘always’ and virere ‘be green or verdant’.

The landscape architect may find Helictotrichon sempervirens useful as a low growing evergreen ground cover, particularly when planted en mass. It may also be useful as part of a prairie type planting scheme. It is drought tolerant once established.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Helictotrichon sempervirens their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Helictotrichon sempervirens prefers most well drained soil which is moist and well drained. It prefers alkaline to  neutral soils and dislikes heavy clay.

Helictotrichon sempervirens requires little maintenance. Dead flowering stems may be removed in late winter.