Sesleria spp., moor grass
Grasses

Sesleria spp.

moor grass

Poaceae
Europe—limestone grasslands, mountain meadows, moorlands of central/S Europe (Sesleria spp.; ~30 species; earliest-blooming grass March; bicolor two-toned; compact mounding; evergreen; z4-5)

At a Glance

TypeGrass
HabitMounding
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-18 inches (20-45 cm)
Width10-15 inches (25-38 cm)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Sesleria is a genus of cool-season perennial grasses comprising approximately 30 species, reaching 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) tall with a spread of 10-15 inches (25-38 cm) and a compact, dense, clumping, mounding habit. Native to Europe—primarily the limestone grasslands, mountain meadows, and moorlands of central and southern Europe. Narrow, two-toned leaves with dark green upper surfaces and blue-grey or silver-green undersides create a subtle bicolor effect, especially in wind. Dense, compact flower spikes 0.5-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) long appear very early in spring (often March)—among the earliest grasses to bloom. The most commonly cultivated species include S. autumnalis (autumn moor grass), S. caerulea (blue moor grass), and S. heufleriana (green moor grass). Evergreen to semi-evergreen. Hardy to zone 4-5 depending on species. Growth rate is slow to moderate.

Native Range

Sesleria species are native to Europe, primarily the limestone grasslands, mountain meadows, and moorlands of central and southern Europe from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia.

Suggested Uses

Grown in rock gardens, gravel gardens, perennial borders (front), mass plantings, meadow gardens, and green roofs. Earliest-blooming ornamental grass (March). Bicolor two-toned leaves—dark green/silver-blue. Compact mounding. Limestone-loving. Evergreen winter structure. Drought-tolerant. Low maintenance. Deer-resistant. Not suitable for acidic soils. Slow to establish. Not a specimen grass—most effective in mass plantings of 5+ for ground-covering effect.

How to Identify

Distinguished from blue fescue (Festuca glauca) by the broader leaves, the two-toned (versus uniformly blue) coloring, the mounding (versus tufted) habit, and the tolerance of heavier soils. Distinguished from Carex (sedges) by the round (versus triangular) stems and the drier soil preference. Distinguished from other ornamental grasses by the very early spring bloom, the compact size, and the limestone affinity. Sesleria—bicolor two-toned leaves, earliest-blooming grass (March), compact mounding, limestone-loving, evergreen, cool-season.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'6"
Width/Spread10" - 1'3"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple
white

Foliage Colors

green
blue
grey

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Dense, compact flower spikes 0.5-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) long in early spring—often March, among the earliest grasses to bloom. S. autumnalis blooms again in fall. Spikes are silvery to dark purple depending on species. Wind-pollinated.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Silvery to dark purple; dense compact spikes 0.5-1 inch; early spring (March)

Foliage Description

Dark green upper / blue-grey to silver-green underside; narrow; bicolor in wind

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaychalk
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Full size in 2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in spring or fall. Full sun to part shade. Well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil (pH 6.5-8.0)—naturally adapted to limestone. Tolerates clay better than most ornamental grasses. Drought-tolerant once established. Hardy z4-5 depending on species. Cut back old foliage in late winter before new growth emerges. Minimal care once established. Evergreen to semi-evergreen—provides winter structure.

Pruning

Cut back or comb out old foliage in late winter before new growth begins. Do not cut into the crown. Divide every 3-4 years if center dies out.

Pruning Schedule

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winterearly spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic