Koeleria glauca

Koeleria glauca, commonly known as the Blue koeleria, Glaucous koeleria, or Sand koeleria, is a perennial grass with decorative blue foliage even in winter. Its graceful flowering undulates poetically in the wind. It is a hardy botanical species, adapted to sandy, limestone, and dry soils. Easy to grow in well-drained, neutral to limestone soil, it is perfect for adding contrast and movement to a natural-style garden where it can self-seed.

Koeleria glauca is an herbaceous perennial plant in the large Poaceae family. It is a non-invasive botanical species. It is widespread from Eastern Europe to Mongolia, where it grows in sandy, limestone, and dry meadows. This plant forms dense tufts reaching 30 to 35cm (12 to 14in) in all directions. The culms and shoots are thickened at the base, in the shape of an onion. The stems measure between 20 to 50cm (8 to 20in) in height, rarely reaching 90cm (35in) in height. The leaves are 1 to 2mm (0.4in) wide, curved and rigid, with a rough texture on both sides. Their colour is a bluish green. Flowering occurs from June to July, depending on the climate. The floral stems bear a fine and light panicle at their tip, measuring about 12cm (5in) long. It is dense, cylindrical, and composed of shiny silver-green spikes turning buff. This flowering remains decorative until winter. Pollination is ensured by the wind, with seed dispersal.

Blue koeleria, less known than blue fescue, can be used in a similar way. It is ideal for ornamenting dry rockeries and borders, and is useful for lightening a flower bed in well-drained soil. Due to its tendency to self-seed, it has its place in a natural garden where it can occupy open spaces in large flower beds. It can also be pruned short to create a sort of ground cover similar to a meadow. In a flower bed, associate it with plants that have the same requirements: allium, knautia, verbascum, nepetas, or tall sedums, for example.