Poa glauca Blue Hills

The Poa glauca 'Blue Hills', also known as Glaucous Bluegrass 'Blue Hills', is one of those often underused grasses in gardens despite their elegance and ease of cultivation. This species, commonly found in European mountains, forms a compact clump of fine foliage, with a very decorative glaucous blue hue. In summer, its panicle inflorescences, transitioning from green to brown, dance in the wind and beautifully capture the light in the garden. Never invasive, it resembles fescues with its slightly wild appearance. Hardy and undemanding, it integrates perfectly into sunny or partially shaded beds, in well-drained, moist to moderately dry soil.

The glaucous bluegrass (Poa glauca) is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Poaceae family, also known as Bluegrass, Blue Meadow-grass, or Glaucous Bluegrass. It has a circumboreal distribution, found in all northern regions of the northern hemisphere. It is a common grass found in arctic and alpine climates among others. In Central Europe, this species is found in rocky slopes and fallen rocks in the high Alps. It is a perennial grass with a tussock-like, non-running base, growing in small dense tufts of leaves and waxy stems that can reach a maximum height of about 80 centimetres, but often remaining at a dwarf height not exceeding 10 centimetres. The foliage is evergreen to semi-evergreen in winter. Flowering occurs from June to August depending on the climate. Long stalks emerge from the foliage carrying pyramidal inflorescences filled with small spikes. Green at first, these inflorescences gradually turn silvery grey and then brown when ripe. The 'Blue Hills' reaches 40 cm in all directions at maturity.

Hardy to -15°C in well-drained soil, Poa glauca 'Blue Hills' is among the grasses that tolerate partial shade well, although it prefers sunlight. It charms with the lightness of its foliage and its decorative aspect throughout the year. Ideal for adding volume and fluidity to beds, it pairs perfectly with floriferous and light perennials such as linarias, penstemons, oxeye daisies, Aster cordifolius, scabious, or even annual poppies and Love-in-a-Mist. Plant it in slightly wild or contemporary garden beds, where it will flow in soft undulations in endless movement in the wind.