Helictotrichon sempervirens
| Helictotrichon sempervirens | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Helictotrichon |
| Species: | H. sempervirens |
| Binomial name | |
| Helictotrichon sempervirens (Vill.) Pilg. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Avena notarisii Parl. | |
Helictotrichon sempervirens, the blue oat grass, is a species of flowering plant in the true grass family, Poaceae, native to central and southwest European grasslands. It is a bunchgrass often used as an ornamental grass in garden design and landscaping.
The foliage is pale green with a hint of blue. It grows in an arching shape, up to 140 cm (55 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) wide. The grass blooms with pale blue-green flowers in May to August. The plant is an evergreen perennial, although with summer drought stress semi-dormancy occurs. The Latin name sempervirens literally means "immortal" but in botany means "evergreen".
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.