Sesleria heufleriana

Sesleria heufleriana: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Low, dense tuft about 40 cm tall and wide, gradually getting bigger.

Foliage

Narrow and tough, blue-green and evergreen; old brown leaves hang on among the fresh foliage.

Flower

Compact, dark, purplish spikes in March–April, held above the foliage.

Season

A cool-season grass: it grows mainly in spring and autumn and stays green in winter.

Roots

Fibrous and dense; the tuft stands firmly and tolerates drought.

Flowering: March–April · Plants: March–May and September–October · Pruning: February–March

Why grow it?

• Evergreen, blue-green foliage that keeps the garden looking good even in winter.
• Flowers as early as March–April, long before most other ornamental grasses.
• Tough and drought-tolerant, even on chalky soil.
• Compact 40 cm tufts: ideal for edging, rock gardens and small gardens, and as ground cover in groups.
• Low maintenance: a few minutes of combing out in spring is enough.

Sesleria heufleriana: where does it grow best?

• Sun to half shade: in deep shade the tuft flops and flowers sparsely.
• Well-drained soil: sand, loam or clay, neutral to chalky. It tolerates poor soil.
• Dry to moderately moist: once established it copes with drought. It dislikes wet feet in winter.
• Suits rock gardens, edging, planting under shrubs and a sunny bank.
• Allow 30–40 cm between plants for quick, dense cover.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Neutral or chalky

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

0.4 m tall, 0.4 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -25 °C)

Goes well with

• Spurge (Euphorbia): Yellow-green flowers at the same time, on the same dry, sunny soil.
• Hardy geranium: Low, flowering plants for sun and half shade that complement the blue-green foliage.
• Species tulip: Flowers in April among the tufts; the grass foliage hides the faded bulbs.
• Sage (Salvia): Purple flower spikes in late spring.
• Stonecrop (Sedum): Thick, fleshy leaves and late flowers: same dry, sunny spot.

Sesleria heufleriana: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–May and September–October.

1. Plant in March–May or in September–October, when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. On heavy clay, mix in coarse sand or grit for good drainage.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot, no deeper: the heart of the tuft must not be buried.
4. Leave 30–40 cm between plants.
5. Water in thoroughly straight away, then weekly in dry weather during the first year.
6. Spread a thin layer of gravel or compost around the plants, keeping the heart clear.

Care

Water

Only in the first year during dry spells. After that rainfall is enough, even in a dry summer.

Feeding

Not needed. On very poor sandy soil you can give a little compost in spring.

Combing out

In February–March, pull the old brown leaves out of the tuft with your fingers or a small rake.

Weeding

Keep young plants free of weeds; a closed tuft suppresses weeds by itself.

Dividing

If the heart of the tuft turns bare, divide it in April (every 4–5 years).

Tip: Plant sesleria in groups of at least five and comb out the old leaves in February: you get an even green carpet and the dark flower spikes can appear freely in March.

Sesleria heufleriana: when to prune it?

Pruning months: February–March.

When: In February or early March, before the flower spikes appear.

How:

• Comb out the dead, brown leaves with your (gloved) fingers or a small rake.
• For a tidier result you can trim the tuft to about 5–10 cm above the ground, but no lower.
• Remove the dead leaves and put them on the compost heap.

Caution: Do not cut too short in autumn and do not cut into the heart of the tuft: the evergreen leaves protect the plant over winter.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In April–May (or in September): split a clump with a sharp spade into pieces, each with roots and leaves, and replant straight away at the same depth. Water well.

Seed

Sow in spring on seed compost, barely cover and keep moist. Seedlings grow slowly at first: division is quicker.

Sesleria heufleriana: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −25 °C.

• Hardy to about −25 °C: no protection is needed in Belgium, and the foliage stays green.
• Wet winters on heavy soil are more dangerous than frost: ensure good drainage or plant on a slight mound.
• In a pot: stand it on feet, make sure water can drain away and wrap the pot in hessian in severe frost.

Diseases and pests

• Root rot: In wet winters on heavy clay the tuft can rot away. Improve drainage with coarse sand or plant on a mound.
• Brown, dead leaves: Normal: old leaves die and stay in the tuft. Comb them out in spring.
• Bare, open centre: An old tuft dies out in the middle. Divide it in April and replant the young outer pieces.
• Floppy tuft in shade: In deep shade the grass flops and flowers little. Move it to sun or light shade.

Through the year

• February: Comb out old leaves before the flower spikes appear.
• March: Flowering begins. Plant or move.
• April: In flower with dark spikes. Plant or divide.
• May: Plant. New blue-green leaves.
• June: Quiet growth, no care needed.
• July: Water young plants only in long dry spells.
• September: Plant. Keep the soil slightly moist.
• October: Plant. Mulch with gravel or compost.
• November: Resting, the foliage stays green.
• December: Evergreen: the tufts decorate the garden.

Did you know?

• The name Sesleria honours Leonardo Sesler, an 18th-century Italian physician and botanist.
• It is one of the earliest-flowering ornamental grasses: the spikes appear as early as March–April.
• Despite the name ‘moor grass’, most Sesleria species grow on dry, chalky mountain slopes rather than on moorland.