Northern River Oats - Chasmanthium latifolium

Non Native to MA- (native to North America PA-FL)Perennial Grass- low maintenance shade grass  4 season interest

Highly beneficial to pollinators & wildlife, and eco systems in MA, not considered invasive although can be an aggressive spreader

Benefits:  Birds & small mammals eat the seeds, dense foliage provides shelter and nesting material for birds and other small animals.  Host Plant: larval host plant for several species of butterflies, including the Northern Pearly-eye and various skippers. Deer Resistant: generally not a preferred food source for deer. 

2-4 ft., clump-forming grass with drooping, oat-like flower spikelets from slender, arching branches Jun- Sept  Blue-green, leaves often turn a bright yellow-gold, especially in sunnier sites, in fall.  Stalks stay a soft brown until February then it turns a tattered and gray. It reseeds easily and can create a solid mat in moist loam within a couple years. It has been used to prevent soil erosion along streams. The seed stalks are attractive in flower arrangements.

Provenance:  seeds purchased 2024 PMN