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Sesleria caerulea

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ses-LER-ee-ah se-ROO-lee-ah
Description

A cool-season ornamental grass in the Poaceae family, which is native to rich alkaline soils in meadows and forests in Europe.  It has attractive blue-green leaves that provide year-round interest. It does not take foot traffic very well but in low traffic areas, this plant makes a good lawn alternative.  Plant in in border fronts, along pathways, in small spaces or among spring bulbs.  This grass tolerates air pollution, drought, and being planted near black walnut trees.

Form: Loose Tufts

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small spaces#drought tolerant#lawn alternative#colorful leaves#low maintenance#mass planting#air pollution tolerant#year-round interest#edging#blue-green leaves#border planting#border front#walkway planting#groundcovers that can be mowed#foot traffic tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#meadow#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small spaces#drought tolerant#lawn alternative#colorful leaves#low maintenance#mass planting#air pollution tolerant#year-round interest#edging#blue-green leaves#border planting#border front#walkway planting#groundcovers that can be mowed#foot traffic tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#meadow#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sesleria
    Species:
    caerulea
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe and British Isles
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Erect
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Black
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Panicle
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Narrow spikes of greenish flowers in spring give way to silvery inflorescences
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow, twisting leaves with powdery blue underside and green upper side
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Riparian
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Drought
    Pollution