Audubon® Native Northern Sea Oats
Bower & Branch Trees and Plants
Audubon® Plants for Birds: Chasmanthium latifolium
Regular priceThis plant is not available at this time through Bower & Branch. We provide this plant profile for reference only.
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INTRICATELY FORMED COPPER COLORED SEA HEADS
FEATURES:
May Benefit & Attract: towhees, juncos, sparrows, and Mourning Doves
- Floppy light green grass in the spring and summer
- In the fall, seed heads become more prominent and turn to a coppery color
- Resembles pointed bamboo leaves
- Incredible for dried flower arrangements
- Works wonderfully as a ground-cover or container plant
- This bird-friendly native plant provides food and shelter for local and migrating birds and other wildlife
- All Audubon® branded trees and plants are grown 100% Neonic-free by Bower & Branch, making these plants safer for the birds and safer for the environment
- The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow
- Hand Selected, Fresh from the Grower
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Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Mature Height: 1-3' tall
- Mature Width: 2-4' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun/Part Shade
- Spacing: 2-4' apart
Why plant Audubon® Native Northern Sea Oats?
A good bird-friendly landscape includes several layers of plants to supply a variety of habitats. Each species of bird has its preferred niche. Trees are important here, but so are low-growing plants that offer cover to ground-dwelling birds like towhees, juncos, sparrows, and mourning doves. Northern Sea Oats does this beautifully. It also provide seeds for the birds from mid-summer through fall. In spring, birds may return once more to gather nesting material from the dried stems. As a result, you may want to leave your Northern Sea Oats standing over the winter to maximize its usefulness to wildlife.
Northern Sea Oats is a bit of a misnomer, because it’s not really a coastal species—it only looks like one. It prefers moist, partly shaded riverbanks and creeksides and is more correctly called River Oats. There aren’t a lot of Fringes that accept less than full sun, but this is one that is naturally adapted to shady conditions. An American native, River Oats ranges from Pennsylvania to New Jersey and south to Mexico. This hardy soul is also found in Canada, where the mercury can dip to -40ºF.
How to use Audubon® Native Northern Sea Oats in the landscape?
Let out your inner floral designer! Pretty, dangly Northern Sea Oats seed heads beg to be cut for fresh and dried arrangements. Create a lovely centerpiece for your table or windowsill with this fantastic Fringe.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
How To Plant Audubon® Native Northern Sea Oats
Northern Sea Oats is easy to grow for even novice gardeners. Give it a site in full sun or part shade. Northern Sea Oats may reseed prolifically when happy. Don’t plant it near dainty plants that may be overtaken; it’s better as a space filler where seedlings are welcome. This is a warm-season grower that gets a late start in spring. Have patience.
How To Water
Your Northern Sea Oats will appreciate regular water in sun; in shady situations it will need less irrigation and can withstand periods of drought.
How To Fertilize
Feed your Northern Sea Oats annually, we recommend using our Elements Starter Plant Food to give your plants that extra boost.
How To Prune
Cut back plants in late winter or whenever they begin to look unsightly. Prune any dried foliage down to the ground. Do this to make way for new growth.