Chasmanthium latifolium

Common Names

Northern Sea Oats, River Oats, Inland Sea Oats, Sea Oats, Wild Oats, Wood Oats, Indian Wood Oats, Flathead Oats, Upland Oats, Upland Sea Oats, Spangle Grass

Summary

Chasmanthium latifolium, commonly called Northern Sea Oats, is a native North American ornamental grass that forms upright arching clumps with bamboo-like green leaves and slender, drooping seed heads. The flat, nodding seed heads start green and bronze to copper in fall, and plants reach about 2–5 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide, native to eastern North America in woodlands, damp forests, and along stream banks. It tolerates sun to partial shade and moist to well-drained soils and is relatively low maintenance; it self-seeds and may spread aggressively if seed heads remain, so removing seed heads helps manage spread. In landscapes, it suits borders, shade and native plant gardens, wetlands, and stream edges; seed heads are attractive for fresh or dried arrangements, and the plant provides wildlife value as a larval host for the Northern Pearly-Eye and several skipper butterflies, with seeds eaten by small mammals and birds, while deer resistance adds resilience to garden plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

24-60 inches

Spread

2-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade, tolerates full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, fertile soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil (moist but well-drained)

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Green maturing to bronze in fall.

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, Yellow-gold, Golden, Golden-brown, Bronze, Coppery, Copper brown, Brown

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies, Birds