Sesleria caerulea
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ses-LER-ee-ah se-ROO-lee-ah
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Erect
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
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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
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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
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
