Northern Sea Oats Grass
Chasmanthium latifolium
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Cold hardy, Drought resistant, Fast-growing, Disease resistant, and Native
Specifications
Specifications
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Botanical Name
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Height
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Width
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Growing Zones
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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Fall Color
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NativeYes
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Pollinator Required
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Bloom PeriodLate Summer, Early Fall
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Does Not Ship ToAK, HI, ID, MT, OR
Planting & Care Instructions
Planting & Care Instructions
Growing Zones 3-8
Northern Sea Oats Ornamental Grass | Nature Hills
Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), also known as Spangle Grass, Wild Oats, or even Seaoats, brings graceful, shimmering texture to your garden! This elegant native ornamental grass features intricate, wheat-like "spangles" that sway in late-summer breezes and glow in the setting sun. Its bamboo-like foliage adds lush movement and structure all season long.
Highly prized by floral designers, Northern Sea Oats produces golden seed heads ideal for dried arrangements. In fall, the seed heads and foliage turn a warm copper, offering winter interest and shelter for songbirds. A warm-season grass, it thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and handles sun, heat, humidity, drought, and even wet soils with ease!
>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions
Key Features
- Showy, flattened seed heads that shimmer and sway
- Also known as Spangle Grass, Wild Oats, or Seaoats
- Graceful, bamboo-like green foliage with copper fall color
- Native, clump-forming warm-season perennial
- Excellent for dried arrangements and naturalized gardens
- Deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and low maintenance
Landscaping Uses
Use this versatile grass for texture, motion, and four-season appeal. Its airy seed heads and elegant form bring movement to gardens and containers.
- Mass plantings or modern groundcover
- Erosion control on slopes and hillsides
- Rain gardens and wet soil edges
- Woodland or part-shade landscapes
- Container gardens as "Fillers" with taller "Thrillers"
- Naturalized meadows with Liatris, Coneflowers, or native perennials
Care & Maintenance
Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, Northern Sea Oats is a perennial grass that comes alive in warm weather and requires very little care once established.
- Planting Time: Spring or fall
- Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Adapts to most soils, tolerates wet or poor drainage
- Moisture: Keep evenly moist first year (Finger Test)
- Mulch: 3-4 inches of bark mulch (how and why)
- Fertilizer: Use compost or balanced slow-release in spring
- Pruning: Cut back old foliage in early spring (tips here)
- Special Perks: Deer-resistant, salt and humidity-tolerant, low maintenance
Don't forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong root support!
Graceful, Golden, And Gorgeous!
From glowing seed heads to copper fall color, Northern Sea Oats - also called Spangle Grass or Wild Oats - adds natural rhythm and shine to any garden. Order your Northern Sea Oats Ornamental Grass today from Nature Hills Nursery and enjoy this easy, elegant native beauty for years to come!
FAQs
Is Northern Sea Oats invasive? It can self-sow freely; deadhead in fall to control spread.
Will Northern Sea Oats grow in shade? Yes, it thrives in full sun to part shade, especially in dappled light.
Do I cut back Northern Sea Oats? Yes, prune to the ground in early spring before new growth appears.
Can Northern Sea Oats grow in wet soil? Absolutely - it's one of the best ornamental grasses for moist or rain garden sites.
Is Northern Sea Oats deer-resistant? Yes, deer rarely bother this grass thanks to its texture and taste.
