blue oat grass
Helictotrichon sempervirens
1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in × 1 ft 7⅝ in–3 ft 3⅜ in
Low maintenancegrass
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Grass · Poaceae family
Big Quaking Grass
Briza media
Full sun to part shade 7⅞ in–2 ft 11⅜ in × 3⅞ in–1 ft 7⅝ in to −93 °F
In short a 10-second read
SunFull sun to part shade
Size7⅞ in–2 ft 11⅜ in
spacing 13¾ in
spacing 13¾ in
PlantingMarch–May, September–October
WinterNo winter protection
Where to plant and how much to water
Sun, soil and water.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil.
Sun
Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h
Soil
tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
Watering
Frost
−93 °F
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (69 in).
7⅞ in–2 ft 11⅜ in× spread 3⅞ in–1 ft 7⅝ in
Plant 13¾ in apart.
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
Through the year.
Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Planting
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
container plant: March–May, September–October
Feeding
Nutrition.
No feeding
Pests and diseases
Common problems and what to do.
The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.
No serious pests or diseases
The source lists no significant problems.
Sources (1)
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does Big Quaking Grass tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Big Quaking Grass need?
At maturity 3⅞ in–1 ft 7⅝ in wide and 7⅞ in–2 ft 11⅜ in tall; recommended spacing 13¾ in.
Sources (21) Checked 28 September 2026
- api.gbif.org 2 3
- missouribotanicalgarden.org
- pladias.cz
- gd.eppo.int
- pollen.lu
- allergieinformationsdienst.de
- rhs.org.uk 2
- bamberger-staudengarten-shop.de
- gaertnerei-strickler.de
- shop.foerster-stauden.de
- yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
prairie dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in × 1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in
Low maintenancegrass
Korean feather reed grass
Calamagrostis brachytricha
2 ft 3½ in–3 ft 3⅜ in × 2 ft 3½ in–2 ft 7½ in
Low maintenancegrass
Uses
In the garden and at home.
Pollinators
few