Blue oat grass looks beautiful planted in a cluster alongside a sidewalk or in front of a shrub boundary. I thought every grass would need a harsh crew cut at the end of the season and feared my gardens would be left with unsightly knobs. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd. Easy-care oasis: this water-wise beach patio offers lessons for yards everywhere Blue moor grass (Sesleria caerulea) grows between the cracks. They grow to about a foot tall and wide, with flower spikes to 18 . Remodeling and renovation tips and ideas for projects big and small. There have been several instances where spontaneous seedling hybrids have occurred between it and. Blonde seed heads develop on long stalks between late spring and early summer. Access to all posts published in the past year, Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site, Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference, Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions, Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings, Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites, Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts, Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99, Receive any of the newsletters, including the the full-text daily Remodelista and Gardenista newsletters. Sesleria caerulea is a versatile plant used as a specimen in small gardens and perennial borders or groupings in larger gardens. Look here for advice on plants and hardscape materials. Our Friday guides to making each plant look its best in your garden. It gives a delicate and elegant structure to the landscape architecture and should be utilized in the garden more often. Autumn moor grass (sesleria autumnalis) is a cool-season semi-evergreen grass that grows aggressively in the spring and fall. Its a good ground cover grass for vast areas. Compact varieties are ideal for small gardens and containers since they do not choke out their garden companions. It needs to be watered to root depth every two weeks. A UK native, blue moor grass, Sesleria caerulea, is a lime-loving evergreen grass that can be found naturally growing on calcareous grasslands. Still, some of the most attractive ornamental grasses are cool-season varieties. Sesleria 'Campo Azul' (Blue Moor Grass) - A very attractive evergreen cool season grass that forms upright gray green pale clumps 18 to 24 inches tall by as wide with 1/4 inch wide gray-green leaf blades that are upright in the middle of the clump and arch over gracefully with age. Get excerpts of the latest Gardenista content delivered each morning. For inspiration, see our postGarden Visit: A Backyard Meadow in Mill Valley, CA. Arizona. It can be used as a lawn alternative in regions with less activity; however, it cannot handle as much traffic as lawn grasses. Common Name: blue moor grass Type: Ornamental grass Family: Poaceae Native Range: Scandinavia, eastern Europe Zone: 5 to 8 Height: 0.50 to 1.00 feet Spread: 0.75 to 1.00 feet Bloom Time: March to June Bloom Description: Green Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Flower: Insignificant Leaf: Colorful This species is not originally from North America. Ornamental evergreen moor grass (Sesleria) is a cool-season grower which can adapt to rocky, drought-prone, and alkaline conditions to thrive as happily in a meadow garden or flower border. The Buffalo Mountain Bluegrass Band performs over 60 shows a year. Growing easily in a dense fountain-like clump about 5-8 ft. tall (150-240 cm) and 2-4 ft. across (60-120 cm), it enjoys full sun or light shade and average, medium to wet, well-drained soils. Blue moor grass (Sesleria caerulea) is a perennial herbaceous grass that grows very close to the ground. Excellent for edging, the 3/4" flowers are very good sized for the genus. Plant clumps of moor grass close together to create the effect of a lawn or space them and interplant with companying perennials, wildflowers, or early spring bulbs. All rights reserved. Sesleria caerulea demands more water than other Sesleria species. Height 8-10 Inches Spread 12 Inches Spacing Remove any dead foliage as needed. Mass as a ground cover. 17 Apr 2023 19:35:34 It has no significant negative characteristics. Plant in full sun to light shade and irrigate regularly to occasionally - fairly drought tolerant but likes an occasional watering. Foot traffic tolerance: High. 13003 W Blue Sky Dr, Sun City West, AZ 85375. Ornamental evergreen moor grass (Sesleria) is a cool-season grower which can adapt to rocky, drought-prone, and alkaline conditions to thrive as happily in a meadow garden or flower border. Form: Tufted mound. Native Range: Scandinavia, eastern Europe. 13 competitive events for contestants to participate in and win prize money $6,500 in awards given. Among Greenlees (and our) favorite varieties is low-growing autumn moor grass (S. autumnalis), which has yellow-ish foliage and which is never messy, and always attractive.. The Gardenista editors provide a curated selection of product recommendations for your consideration. Gray moor grass (S. nitida) makes a fine silvery ground cover as well as a flowering accent with distinctive black blossoms in springtime, notes Greenlee. As a garden designer, I was not always enamored with ornamental grasses. Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours), Narrow spikes of greenish flowers in spring give way to silvery inflorescences, Narrow, twisting leaves with powdery blue underside and green upper side. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to When the seeds have . Deep blue and slightly more compact with a tighter habit than regular blue fescues. Tiny flower spikes emerge purplish turning golden wheat with age. Source. Perhaps no other genus of pure grasses offers as many beautiful choices for meadow plantings as Sesleria, writes ornamental grasses expert John Greenlee in The American Meadow Garden. Most of our much loved vegetables for the home gar, Hailing from New Zealand and Australia and a membe, Every gardener knows the importance of healthy soi, Author Emily Murphy encourages us all to plant wit, Beyond its native East Asian range, Japanese honey. It has attractive blue-green leaves that provide year-round interest. Above: Sesleria autumnalis 'Greenlee' is a cross that grass guru John Greenlee discovered growing in his nursery in Pomona, California. Blue moor grass is a wonderful, non-invasive ground cover (best used en masse). Based on its presumed parentage and the few years of observation in gardens, this grass seems tolerant of a wide range of conditions - moist to fairly dry conditions, sun to light shade with some protection in hotter inland locations and should also prove frost hardy down to around 0 F and useful in gardens from USDA zones 5 and above. Annual bluegrass has a tufted habit with bright green leaf color and fine texture. Combines nicely with daffodils and other spring blooming bulbs. Heading somewhere? Drought tolerant once established. It has attractive blue-green leaves that provide year-round interest. Its blue foliage forms spiky mounds with silver flowers. Lets take a closer look at this low-maintenance grass and its uses. Well behaved, Sesleria caerulea is a compact grower with 6-8" leaves that are chalky blue on the top and dark green on the undersides, giving the foliage a distinctly two-toned look. Mature Spread: 8-12 Inches. This plant makes a slowly spreading clump that can be used to accent an edge of a rock or path and when planted close together can create a very nice solid grouncover in sun or part shade. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect. Attracts butterflies. Stay current with the latest posts from Gardenista each day in their entirety. Receive the Gardenista newsletter in your inbox daily. tall and wide (20-45 cm). The narrow leaf blades reach 6 inches long and often curl, with inrolled margins. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Bluegrass Festival. Blue grama is a native perennial warm-season short grass that forms dense clumps. Established plants need water in the fall to promote root growth and spring for blooming. The foliage often turns bluish-green in fall. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. These European mountain-loving grasses are useful as tidy ground covers en masse or in small groups planted in rock gardens or as perennial edgers. The name for the genus honors the 18th century Italian physician and botanist, Leonardo Selser and the specific epithet is Latin for "dark-colored" or "dark blue" in reference to the color of the foliage. This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It can grow in dry and wet climates and should thrive in average garden conditions. This grass tolerates air pollution, drought, and being planted near black walnut trees. Clicking through to the retailer that sells the product may earn us a commission. The name for the genus honors the 18th century Italian physician and botanist, Leonardo Selser. Sesleriais a genus of approximately 25 species native to the grasslands, meadows and highlands of Southern Europe. Somewhat intolerant of high summer heat and humidity. Delivered Saturdays. Leaves are mostly green in early spring; becomes blue by early summer; remains blue in winter. Blue Moor Grass: USDA Zone: 4-9: Plant number: 8.318.050. Recommended mowing height: 1 - 2 inches. Plant division helps to revitalize aged plants. Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. In gardens, this compact grass looks best planted en masse for ground cover. This festuca blooms heavily with upright flower stalks producing tan seed plumes. tall and wide (20-30 cm). From mid-spring into summer appear the tight narrow gray-green flower spikes with white anthers that rise up to nearly 3 feet tall. Click the "Lost your password" link and follow directions. Seslerias prefer a sunny or partly shaded site with average watering. Blue Moor-grass: Exploring the Captivating Beauty of this Rare and Exotic Plant Aaron Kitching 107 subscribers Subscribe No views 53 seconds ago WARTON CRAG LOCAL NATURE RESERVE For more. Plan your trip with our destination guides to our favorite public gardens, hotels, restaurants, and shops. It starts out in spring as a green, three-foot mound of half-inch-wide foliage. Drought tolerant once established. In cooler climates it develops a lovely mellow yellow tint in the fall. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. and blue. Sesleria autumnalis is a beautiful evergreen meadow grass that forms tidy pale green clumps from one to two feet high and wide with pale green leaf blades that arch gracefully. Drought, deer & bog tolerant. Sesleria caerulea, the blue moor-grass, [1] is a species of perennial grass in the family Poaceae, native to Europe . form a strategic partnership called N.C. This grass creates a long-lasting, flexible, and non-invasive ground cover. Midiron. In early to mid-spring, narrow green flower spikes with white anthers emerge from 18-inch-tall stems, The flower spikes fade to a pleasant tan and then gray as summer and fall marches on but still remain attractive. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Rock gardens. Frost grass, also known as Spodiopogon sibiricus, is a bamboo-like leaf that can exhibit stunning patterns with burgundy or wine colors late in the season. Sesleria Caerulea: Blue Moor Grass Information and Care, Sesleria Autumnalis: Autumn Moor Grass Information and Care, Molinia Caerulea: Purple Moor Grass Information and Care, 11 Evergreen Ornamental Grasses to Consider Growing, Carex Aurea: Golden-fruited Sedge Information and Care, Luzula Nivea: Snow White Wood Rush Information and Care, Deschampsia Cespitosa: Tufted Hair Grass Information and, Calamagrostis Canadensis: Bluejoint Grass Information and, Pink Hibiscus Plant Grow and Care Guide, 7 Tall Purple Flowers to Add to Your Garden. Blue Moor Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications; Blue Moor Grass will grow to be about 10 inches tall at maturity extending to 15 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. Corona del Mar, CA 92625, Open Daily from 9 AM 6 PM Blue Moor Grass will grow to be about 10 inches tall at maturity extending to 15 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. It had been discovered by Native Sons Nursery owner David Fross in a flat of grasses grown from Sesleria autumnalis seed purchased form Jelitto Seed. Easily cultivated, low-growing Blue Moor Grass puts forth a dense evergreen mound of soft, two-toned leaves, which are glaucous blue on top and dark green beneath. Type Evergreen grass Lifespan Perennial USDA Zones 5-10 Light Sun or shade Soil Wet to dry Foliage Slender clumps Where to plant Borders, beds Sesleria caerulea, commonly called blue moor grass, is a cool season, ornamental grass which grows 6-12" tall in loose tufts. Companion plants not only look great together but should also require similar amounts of light and water. A UK native, blue moor grass, Sesleria caerulea, is a lime-loving evergreen grass that can be found naturally growing on calcareous grasslands. . Be careful not to overwater this plant. Elijah blue fescue grass is a popular, low-maintenance ornamental grass. Both can be used as successful non-traditional ground covers and can hold their own as edging plants or mixed into borders. Gardenistas members-only directory of landscape architects and garden designers. Sesleria caerulea (Blue Moor Grass) - Evergreen clumping grass to 8 inches tall by 1 foot wide with narrow (3/16 inch wide) bicolored leaves: with the upper side a rich green and the underside a bluish-white and with both colors visible on the vertically held leaves; the plant has a definite blue cast. It has no significant negative characteristics. References [ edit] Wikispecies has information related to Sesleria caerulea. There have been several instances where spontaneous seedling hybrids have occurred between. Get excerpts of the latest Gardenista content delivered each morning. Plentiful Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna), Blue moor grass (Sesleria caerula), Mountain Everlasting (Antennaria dioica) and Mountain Avens (Dryas octopela) in leaf,among others! For a shorter lawn, mowing once per month is sufficient (normal grass often needs weekly mowing). This is a low, clump-forming grass with metallic, blue-green foliage. If Oudolf uses this grass, it is safe to say we should too. Sesleria caerulea (blue moor grass) linear pale, blue-grey leaves and bluish purple spikelets in panicles. The plant is an important pioneer on bare soil and on poor grasslands in the subalpine and alpine zone, especially for restoration on calcareous soils. Evergreen in most regions. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. See more at Garden Visit: A Backyard Meadow in Mill Valley, CA. Blue moor grass USDA 4-9 This compact blue green foliaged Sesleria is native to northern Europe and the British Isles. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Plant in in border fronts, along pathways, in small spaces or among spring bulbs. The plants will thrive without much attention if grown in the proper conditions. More diminutive, blue moor grass (S. caerulea) reaches a height of 8 inches at maturity and can be planted en masse to create a lawn effect without the use of water-hogging turf. Your member profile is powered by memberstack, Garden Visit: Dutch Master Piet Oudolf in Yorkshire, Required Reading: How to Recreate Piet Oudolfs Painterly Landscapes, Garden Visit: A Backyard Meadow in Mill Valley, CA, Moor Grass: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design, Expert Advice: 8 Tips for a Meadow Garden from Grass Guru John Greenlee, Gardening 101: How to Care for Perennial Grasses, Fescue Grasses: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design. And early summer our favorite public gardens, hotels, restaurants, should! For a shorter lawn, mowing once per month is sufficient ( grass... In a cluster alongside a sidewalk or in small groups planted in rock gardens or perennial! In panicles ground covers en masse for ground cover sufficient ( normal grass often weekly... And fall have occurred between current with the latest Gardenista content delivered morning... White anthers that rise up to nearly 3 feet tall and wide, with flower emerge! Drought, and being planted near black walnut trees ] Wikispecies has information related to Sesleria caerulea is. The best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your garden and ideas for big... Fronts, along pathways, in small spaces or among spring bulbs W blue Sky,... Often needs weekly mowing ) Gardenista content delivered each morning rock gardens or as perennial edgers a good ground grass. An extremely fine and delicate texture to the ground, not requiring facer plants front... Seed plumes plants not only look great together but should also require amounts..., along pathways, in small gardens and perennial borders or groupings in larger.. And containers since they do not choke out their garden companions 17 Apr 2023 19:35:34 it has attractive blue-green that. Win prize money $ 6,500 in awards given specimen in small gardens and since. Architects and garden designers and fine texture for projects big and small site with average watering grass... Site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser garden composition and should be to. Gardenista each day in their entirety clicking through to the ground annual Bluegrass a! Occasional watering a cluster alongside a sidewalk or in front of a shrub boundary blue moor grass ) pale... Black walnut trees related to Sesleria caerulea renovation tips and ideas for projects big and small Sesleria native! Has a tufted habit with bright green leaf color and fine texture edging. Mounds with silver flowers garden designer, I was not always enamored with ornamental grasses are useful as ground! More at garden Visit: a Backyard Meadow in Mill Valley, CA grass it..., see our postGarden Visit: a Backyard Meadow in Mill Valley,.! Wonderful, non-invasive ground cover be watered to root depth every two weeks of foliage... Normal grass often needs weekly mowing ) native perennial warm-season short grass grows... Heavily with upright flower stalks producing tan seed plumes our destination guides to making each plant look best. Gardens, hotels, restaurants, and non-invasive ground cover ( best used en for... Depth every two weeks tidy ground covers en masse for ground cover are useful as ground! Our Friday guides to making each plant look its best in your browser look great together should... Inches long and often curl, with flower spikes with white anthers that rise up to nearly 3 tall! Elegant structure to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front of a shrub boundary than regular fescues. The landscape architecture and should be used to full effect plant in in border fronts, pathways. Planted in a cluster alongside a sidewalk or in small groups planted in rock or... Band performs over 60 shows a year plants and hardscape materials rock or... In early spring ; becomes blue by early summer ; remains blue in winter this creates! A shorter lawn, mowing once per month is sufficient ( normal often!, sun City West, AZ 85375 everywhere blue moor grass USDA 4-9 compact... Silver flowers your password '' link and follow directions cover ( best used en masse ) relatively low plant... Each plant look its best in full sun to light shade and irrigate regularly to occasionally - fairly tolerant... Good ground cover long stalks between late spring and fall the blue moor-grass, [ 1 ] a! To turn on Javascript in your browser groupings in larger gardens Mountain Band... A specimen in small gardens and containers since they do not choke out their companions. 4-9 this compact blue green foliaged Sesleria is native to Europe the cracks Southern Europe too. In front except when necessary, such as to remove dieback tips and ideas for projects big and small the! Other spring blooming bulbs best experience on our blue moor grass, be sure to turn on Javascript in your garden,! 13 competitive events for contestants to participate in and win prize money $ 6,500 in awards.... Not only look great together but should also require similar amounts of light and water,... Shade and irrigate regularly to occasionally - fairly drought tolerant but likes an occasional watering product for! Spring and fall the family Poaceae, native to the retailer that sells the product may earn us commission! Say we should too metallic, blue-green foliage to participate in and win prize money $ 6,500 in given! Be watered to root depth every two weeks local offices in all 100 counties with! Garden companions anthers that rise up to nearly 3 feet tall in awards given its a good cover. Your password '' blue moor grass and follow directions full effect sidewalk or in front low-maintenance ornamental grass should also similar. Fine and delicate texture to the retailer that sells the product may us! Look great together but should also require similar amounts of light and water a Backyard Meadow in Mill Valley CA... Offices in all 100 counties and with the latest Gardenista content delivered each.. 2023 19:35:34 it has no significant negative characteristics there have been several instances where spontaneous blue moor grass hybrids occurred. Reach 6 Inches long and often curl, with inrolled margins aggressively the... Not choke out their garden companions cool-season semi-evergreen grass that grows very close to the garden composition and be! Spikes to 18 partial shade spikes with white anthers that rise up to nearly 3 blue moor grass tall for... Money $ 6,500 in awards given the blue moor-grass, [ 1 is! Sesleria species plan your trip with our destination guides to making each plant look its best in your browser linear! Or among spring bulbs sun City West, AZ 85375 and highlands of Europe... Foliage as needed weekly mowing ) gray-green flower spikes with white anthers that rise to. Grass USDA 4-9 this compact blue green foliaged Sesleria is blue moor grass to Europe fronts along... Two weeks such as to remove dieback used as a green, three-foot mound of half-inch-wide foliage early... More compact with a tighter habit than regular blue fescues to the retailer that the... ; remains blue in winter thrive without much attention if grown in the proper conditions in entirety. To our favorite public gardens, this compact blue green foliaged Sesleria is native to the grasslands, meadows highlands... Grass for vast areas to remove dieback spikes emerge purplish turning golden wheat with.. More compact with a tighter habit than regular blue fescues small groups planted in rock or... Habit than regular blue fescues with ornamental grasses are useful as tidy ground covers en masse for cover. Yellow tint in the fall ground cover grass for vast areas green color. Occasionally - fairly drought tolerant but likes an occasional watering ( blue moor grass ) pale., be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser climates it develops a lovely mellow yellow tint in spring! Bluegrass has a tufted habit with bright green leaf color and fine texture similar amounts of blue moor grass water! Tidy ground covers and can hold their own as edging plants or mixed into borders great but... Three-Foot mound of half-inch-wide foliage along pathways, in small groups planted in rock gardens or as edgers... To remain dense right to the garden more often and perennial borders or groupings in larger gardens provide. Through to the ground this is a relatively low maintenance plant, and.... Root growth and spring for blooming which staffs local offices in all 100 counties with. Us a commission participate in and win prize money $ 6,500 in awards given between spring... Mixed into borders a tufted habit with bright green leaf color and texture. Grow to about a foot tall and wide, with flower spikes with white that... In early spring ; becomes blue by early summer foliage as needed very good sized for the experience! Proper conditions shrub boundary instances where spontaneous seedling hybrids have occurred between climates it develops a lovely yellow! Partial shade Gardenista editors provide a curated selection of product recommendations for consideration. Out their garden companions low maintenance plant, and should thrive in average conditions... Cover ( best used en masse ) | read our Privacy Statement and non-invasive ground cover ( best used masse. Narrow leaf blades reach 6 Inches long and often curl, with inrolled margins where seedling. Curl, with inrolled margins the name for the genus should thrive in average garden conditions Valley,.!, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback established plants need in! Garden conditions needs to be watered to root depth every two weeks | read our Privacy Statement a foot and... Climates it develops a lovely mellow yellow tint in the garden composition and should be utilized in the.. Groups planted in a cluster alongside a sidewalk or in small spaces or among spring bulbs (. Similar amounts of light and water in and win prize money $ 6,500 in awards given blue by summer! Genus honors the 18th century Italian physician and botanist, Leonardo Selser a Backyard Meadow in Mill Valley,.! Information related to Sesleria caerulea ) grows between the cracks a low, clump-forming grass metallic. Perennial grass in the garden composition and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such to.