Northern Sea Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium ( Northern Sea Oats )
A fast growing, sturdy, upright, clump forming perennial grass, reaching up to 6 x 5 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to eastern North America where it grows in open woodlands, stream banks and even on sand dunes ( most commonly on wooded floodplains under hickory and oak ). It is endangered at the northernmost extent of its range in Michigan, Pennsylvania ( from Pittsburg to Monroe Co. and south ) & NJ, is more common further south to the Gulf Coast. Northern Sea Oats is extinct in the wild in DE.
The bamboo-like foliage ranges from bright green in full sun to deep green in shade.
The leaves are up to 9 x 1 inches. The foliage turns to golden-yellow during mid autumn, then drying to coppery-tan color after the first freeze remaining attractive well into the winter.
The attractive, drooping flowers are borne during summer. They are followed by seed heads that remain attractive well into winter ( many people cut these off to prevent self seeding ).
Hardy zones 2 to 8 on moist but well drained soil. It is heat tolerant if grown on fertile moist soil. Thrives in part shade and can tolerate sun though foliage is a deeper green in the shade. Resistant to deer, drought, salt and wind. Cut back to close to groundlevel during early spring to make room for new growth. Local seed source usually grows better locally. Propagation from seed is easy and on some sites it may self seed prolifically.

* photo of unknown internet source

* photos taken on June 15 2011 in Columbia, MD


* photo taken on July 31 2011 in Hyde Park, NY



* photo taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

* photos taken on July 15 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Jul 9 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 13 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 23 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 24 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 3 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 18 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 27 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 7 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Sep 29 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 20 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 11 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 12 2022 in Columbia, MD

'River Mist'
Arching and spreading in habit, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet, with green foliage that is boldly striped white. Great for brightening a shady corner. Also a great choice for containers.
The oat-like dangling seeds are pale purple.

* photo taken on May 17 2012 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on July 17 2012 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on July 11 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 20 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 15 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 14 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 27 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 20 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 21 2017 in Columbia, MD

Chasmanthium laxum ( Slender Woodoats )
A perennial grass, up to 3 ( 3.5 to 5 in bloom ) feet, that is native to fertile floodplain forests in the eastern U.S. ( from eastern Oklahoma to southeast Missouri to central Kentucky to Howard Co. Maryland to southeast Pennsylvania to Long Island, New York; south to eastern Texas to central Florida ). It is critically endangered in the wild in Mo & NY.
The attractive foliage is verdant bright green.
The plumes of arrowhead-shaped seeds appear during early summer and persist into late autumn. The seed heads are reddish-brown when ripe but often quickly fall over under their own weight and are not an ornamental feature.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in partial to full shade, preferring fertile, moist, sandy, well drained soil. It is tolerant of clay, temporary drought and moderate flooding. It is not salt tolerant.

* photo taken on Oct 21 2014 @ U.S. Botanical Gardens, Washington, DC