Chasmanthium latifolium “Northern sea oats”
Posted by John Friel on May 20th 2021
This interesting native grass has seed heads that look like oats, rising from foliage that’s reminiscent of bamboo. It tolerates much more shade than most ornamental grasses, and can even handle the infamously inhospitable shade of black walnut trees.The pendulous seed heads emerge green, turning purple/bronze in summer. They’re dazzling in late-afternoon sunlight, and they make a fabulous filler for dried flower arrangements. Height 3 – 4’. Hardy in Zones 5 - 9
The Game of the NameThe vernacul