Blue Oat Grass

Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) - is a very popular ornamental grass for waterwise gardeners in Utah.  It is easy to grow, hardy on the Wasatch Front (so it comes back every year) and requires only moderate water.  Sometimes confused with Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca), Blue Oat Grass is dusty blue and mounded in form, but much larger than Blue Fescue.  It adds excellent color and texture to the landscape - great in combination with other ornamental grasses. It is a bunching grass, so it won't spread or become invasive.  It is native to Central Asia. As with all ornamental grasses, Blue Oat Grass is easy to maintain;  just cut it to the ground in late winter.

Blue Oat Grass - Helictotrichon sempervirens

Blue Oat Grass with Karl Foerster Grass, left and Japanese Blood Grass, right

Karl Foerster Grass in the back, Blue Oat Grass in the middle, and Japanese Blood Grass along the front