Chasmanthium latifolium

At home in the ground or in a container, Chasmanthium latifolium (northern sea oats) provides the landscape with movement thanks to its fluttering seed heads.

It provides a “great animation factor in the shade garden,” writes Mike Miller, a Missouri-based landscape designer.

It’s native across most of eastern North America, parts of the Midwest, all of the Deep South and parts of the Southwest. Its native range is in woods, thickets and bottomland. Plants prefer moist, fertile soil but tolerate average, wet, loamy, clay or rocky soils.

This grass self-sows vigorously. If this is an issue, deadhead or harvest stems for flower arrangements before seeds are ripe. However, consider leaving seed heads to feed wildlife during the winter.

This was previously known as Uniola latifolia.

Why grow Chasmanthium latifolium?

• If you’re looking to help our feathered and furry friends, this is a dynamite species to market. It provides food and shelter for birds and mammals.
• It’s drought and deer tolerant.
• It’s one of the most shade tolerant ornamental grasses available.