Northern Sea Oats – Organic Grass Seed

Sturdy, glittering perennial grass.
Strong, stiff stems produce copper-colored, airy seed heads that add sparkle and graceful, arching lines to arrangements. A resilient accent plant in perennial garden beds. Plants are bright green early in the season (June through July); in August-September, the spikelets transform to a beautiful copper color and the leaves turn to a contrasting lime green. Seed heads are 4-6" long, each producing multiple spikelets 3/4-1" long. Produces inflorescence (seed heads) in the first year from an early-spring or late-winter sowing, but plants will be short, about 12", and produce small clumps of flowering stems. In the second year of growth, plants are much more robust, producing more stems and seed heads, and reaching their full height potential of 24-36". Pairs well with almost any color in arrangements, but especially creamy yellow, salmon, blush, and white. Holds well both fresh and dried. Native to the Eastern U.S. and Northern Mexico. Also known as Indian wood oats. Perennial in Zones 5-9. Organically grown. Ht. 24-36". Avg. 10,900 seeds/oz. Packet: 100 seeds.

DAYS TO GERMINATION: 7-14 days at 70°F (21°C)

SOWING: Transplant (recommended) – Sow 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Transplant into cell packs or 3-4" containers when seedlings have second or third set of leaves. Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed.

LIGHT PREFERENCE: Sun/Part Shade.

PLANT HEIGHT: 24-36".

PLANT SPACING: 12-18".

HARDINESS ZONES: Zones 5-9.

HARVEST: Fresh or Dried: Harvest when seed heads have matured but still show some green color. Seed heads might shatter if harvested after fully they have fully turned to a dark copper color.

USES: Excellent cut or dried flower. Accent plant for perennial beds, especially in shady or damp conditions. Mid-border in naturalistic or mixed grass plantings.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chasmanthium latifolium