Sesleria: Planting, Growing, and Care

Description and botany

The Sesleria is a small species of low-growing perennial grass belonging to the Poaceae family. The genus comprises 33 species native to mountainous regions or dry or damp meadows of central, eastern and south-eastern Europe, including several perennials such as Sesleria automnalis, which flowers late in the season. Other varieties found in our gardens include Sesleria caerulea or blue moor grass, Sesleria argentea or silver moor grass, and Sesleria heufleriana, all fully hardy, tolerant and perfectly suited to all our climates.

Sesleria caerulea (left), botanical plate from 1903

This clump-forming grass, meaning non-running, creates a small herbaceous and bushy mound reaching 30 to 70 cm in all directions when in flower. It establishes slowly but proves very long-lived once well-rooted. The habit is both bristly and somewhat loose, more or less spreading, always graceful and airy.

The fine foliage is evergreen, making this grass attractive even in winter. It consists of alternate, single, narrow and linear leaves. Measuring 15 to 50 cm long and 2 to 7 mm wide, tapered and acute, they are folded into a “V” shape or marked by parallel veins. They display varied colours depending on the species, ranging from pale green, yellow-green to light green or even glaucous green or grey-blue.

The foliage is marcescent, drying but persisting through winter, taking on lovely muted tones.

From this gramineous vegetation, flowering emerges from May to August depending on the species and variety. The autumn moor grass flowers in late summer until October. This flowering takes the form of feathery, cylindrical or elongated spikelets. These tubular floral spikes resemble fine paintbrushes. They consist of anise-green and white, greenish-white, silvery-white or even blue-black flowers. These delicate inflorescences remain elegant throughout the off-season, drying in autumn and often darkening as they fade.

Sesleria automnalis and Sesleria heufleriana (© Andrey Zharkikh). Right, Sesleria caerulea (© Wikimedia Commons-Stan Shebs)

Main species

Sesleria argentea

A compact species with a very neat appearance, composed of fine evergreen foliage in pale light green or chartreuse green in full sun. This species tolerates the driest conditions.

• Flowering time June to September
• Height at maturity 60 cm

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Sesleria autumnalis

The most widespread of all sesleria! Hardy and beautiful all year round, it forms a very dense and luminous clump.

• Flowering time September to November
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Sesleria caerulea

This species is notable for its particularly compact habit, its intense blue-green foliage, and also for its blue-violet flowering that turns golden in the sun.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Sesleria heufleriana

Earlier flowering than other sesleria, it blooms in early summer. It stands out with its very clean grey-blue foliage that turns bright green. Beautiful in its simplicity!

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Sesleria nitida

Taller and bluer than its cousins! A useful herb for challenging slopes or pathway borders.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 70 cm

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Planting

Where to Plant It?

Fully hardy (sometimes down to -25°C in well-drained soil), Sesleria is a mountain native that thrives everywhere, in both northern and southern France, in lowlands as well as mountains, or by the seaside.

Not being a demanding perennial, it will do well in almost all types of soil, from dry to moist, neutral to calcareous (except acidic soils), but especially in well-drained conditions in winter. It does not tolerate heavy, waterlogged soils that suffocate its roots. A rather dry soil will suit it perfectly. It adapts well to poor, rocky soils. It thrives in full sun to partial shade.

This non-invasive plant fits into any garden, in small spaces, along pathways, or to structure a natural area when planted en masse. It is also ideal for creating dry meadows in natural gardens or green roofs. Its delicate foliage adapts to any setting. In a contemporary-style garden, it will accentuate all perspectives. It also makes an excellent ground cover solution for challenging areas, even in shade. It works equally well in pots or flowering containers.

When to Plant It?

Planting Sesleria is best done in spring, from February to April, for quick establishment. Autumn planting, from September to November, is also possible. In any case, avoid planting during frost or extreme heat.

Sesleria automnalis (© Andrey Zharkikh)

In the Ground

Plan for 4 to 5 plants per m², spacing them 30 to 60 cm apart. It looks best when planted in groups of 5 to 10 plants for a striking mass effect or to create a light yet full pathway border.

Plant it only in well-draining soil that does not retain stagnant water in winter. In heavy soil, add a spadeful of gravel, some compost, or river sand, as this pretty little herb needs well-drained soil.

• Work the soil thoroughly to a good depth
• Plant in a hole 2 to 3 times the size of the bucket
• Loosen the excavated soil well
• Spread gravel or clay pebbles at the bottom of the hole to improve drainage
• Place the root ball in the centre of the hole
• Fill with garden soil mixed with 1/3 compost and coarse sand
• Firm down and water generously

In Pots

Ensure the substrate is very well-draining. Choose a container at least 50 cm in diameter with drainage holes.

• Add a drainage layer
• Plant in a mix of 1/3 universal compost and 2/3 coarse sand
• Water well

Maintenance, pruning and care

While Sesleria proves to be very undemanding once well-rooted, during the first year after planting, you will need to ensure it is watered regularly but not excessively, especially during periods of intense heat or prolonged dry weather. It requires more water if conditions are too dry. Once established, it will tolerate short periods of drought better. In winter, it will make do with rainwater alone.

Mulching (with flax straw, dry leaves, etc.) at the base of the plant will reduce evaporation in summer and thus limit the need for watering.

A light application of organic fertiliser twice a year during the growing season, particularly if the soil is very poor, will encourage growth.

In February-March, before new growth begins, trim the clump back to 10 cm above the soil using hedge shears to make way for fresh foliage.

In pots

Plants grown in containers will need more frequent watering, especially during very hot and windy weather. Repot when necessary, roughly every two years. Alternatively, you can simply refresh the top layer of compost annually by replacing the old substrate with fresh material to a depth of a few centimetres. There’s no need to store pots away in winter, though a sheltered spot protected from heavy winter rain is advisable.

Propagation

Dividing clumps of Sesleria is an excellent way to perpetuate the plant. It’s best done in spring, on a well-rooted plant, after 3 to 4 years of cultivation.

• Using a garden fork, gently lift the clump
• With a spade, divide the clump into 2 or 3 sections
• Select vigorous divisions with sufficient roots
• Replant the divisions immediately in well-prepared soil
• Water thoroughly

Pair with

Sesleria is ideal for small or large sunny spaces, even in dry soil during summer. This wild little herb easily finds its place in a natural garden, as well as in the more refined setting of a contemporary garden and graphic garden, or in a dry or gravel garden.

In a dry rockery, it pairs well with other small ornamental grasses like Festuca glauca ‘Golden Toupee’, thyme varieties, autumn stonecrops, or small Helianthus.

Sesleria can be planted along pathways. For companion planting, consider other compact, non-spreading grasses such as Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ or Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’.

In a naturalistic border, it serves as a punctuation plant alongside other summer-flowering perennials. Pair it with Achillea filipendulina ‘Golden Plate’, lavenders, or asters. It helps lighten the appearance of heavier-flowering perennials like coneflowers or Oriental poppies.

In a naturalistic setting, such as naturalistic prairies, you can combine it with other ornamental grasses like fountain grass, Calamagrostis brachytricha (Diamond Grass), or Stipa tenuifolia – together they create texture and movement.

In a minimalist contemporary design, pair it with Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Aureocaulis’, a luminous bamboo variety, and a bold grass like Panicum virgatum ‘Blue Darkness’ with its variegated purple-black and blue-green foliage.

→ Discover 7 more planting ideas with Sesleria

Centre: Sesleria autumnalis, accompanied by yarrows, poppies, lavenders, coneflowers, and Aster ericoides ‘Blue Wonder’