Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
12/4/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Reiman's Pick for the week of December 1, 2003
Northern Sea Oats Will Grow in Sun or Shade
Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens
When we think of flower arrangements, we typically think of bright red roses or colorful combinations of carnations, chrysanthemums or daisies. This week's Reiman's Pick - Northern sea oats - is a perennial ornamental grass that encourages us to "step out of the box" and grow something different in our gardens and use in fresh and dried arrangements.
The seed heads, or spikelets of northern sea oats, Chasmanthium latifolium, provide four seasons of unique interest, three in the garden and one indoors in fall displays. During the summer, the bamboo-like foliage grows two to three feet tall and produces flat, green flowers on drooping 5- to 10-inch long panicles. The foliage turns a beautiful bronze in the fall, and by October, the one-inch spikelets are a natural brown color.
The numerous spikelets cause the panicle to arch gracefully. Horticulturist Steven Still eloquently describes the spikelets as "dangling jewels" as they hang on thread-like stems called pedicels. If you look closely at the perfectly formed spikelets, they resemble small, flat wheat seed heads or neatly braided blades of grass. In a light breeze, these "jewels" nod and float in the air and add another element of interest to the garden.
Northern sea oats are native to wooded slopes and creek bottoms in southern and eastern United States, from Texas to Pennsylvania. Its common name has nothing to do with its nativity, but better describes a similar and related species, Uniola paniculata, which is native to eastern seacoasts. Northern sea oats do not really look like oats, the only resemblance is in the way the spikelets hang on the panicle.
Northern sea oats grow reliably in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8. It can
be grown as far north as zone 4 if planted in a protected location. It is one
of few ornamental grasses that performs as well in partial shade as it does
in full sun. The only difference is shade-grown plants tend to have darker green
foliage and are somewhat taller.
There are many uses for northern sea oats in the garden and landscape. It adds
texture and late season color in border gardens or near the edge of a pond.
It is also attractive as a mass planting or naturalized along the edge of woodlands.
Northern sea oats can be invasive in some situations because it freely self-seeds and spreads by underground rhizomes. Leave the plants standing in the garden through the winter or cut them for indoor use. Unlike the plumes of many ornamental grasses, the seed heads on Northern sea oats rarely shatter and fall apart, even when picked late in the season.
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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 376K. Caption: Northern sea oats |
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