Northern Sea Oats Grass

Light Needs

Full Shade to Full Sun

(Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions)

Mature Height

6-11 Inches

Mature Spread

6-11 Inches

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Northern Sea oats are a lovely North American native grass that makes an unusual addition to ornamental grass plantings. The seed heads look like flattened, paper thin pine cones and take on a showy, bronzed hue for fall. Birds are attracted to the seedheads throughout the winter and the standing foliage provides needed shelter for wildlife. This grass is also tolerant of salty seaside conditions and windy sites.

Native grasses have a reputation for being tough as nails and Northern Sea Oats is no exception. This grass will help to fill in meadow plantings, blend in with a modern all grass scheme or act as a “thriller” element in a large seasonal mixed container. Very drought tolerant and extremely low maintenance, with almost no pests or diseases. Plants do not get any easier to grow than Northern Sea Oats.

Northern Sea Oats Care

Northern Sea Oats will tolerate any kind of light conditions from full sun to mostly shade. Dry and poor soils are no match for this tough working grass. The driest areas will need extra irrigation for the first one or two years until this plant becomes well established. Fertilizing is rarely needed for ornamental grasse or native plants. Pruning is not an issue for grasses.

Northern Sea Oats will need to be cleaned up just once a year. In the very late winter or early spring just as the very first signs of green new growth appear, it is the time to cut back the previous year’s foliage. Cut this down to about 6 inches from the ground. Some ornamental grasses can be tough to cut with hand pruners, but Northern Sea Oats is easy and doesn’t have the sharp edges of other grasses.

Northern Sea Oats Spacing

Northern Sea Oats are a more dainty variety of native grass and stay relatively small and compact. There is no need to worry about staking the branches one after a rainstorm. The mature height and width is 2-3 feet. Spacing plants at 2 foot on center will make for an impressive look that will not need dividing for 3-4 years.