Sesleria

( sess - LAIR - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Moor Grass, or Sesleria, is a genus of perennial grasses that need full sun to partial shade and moderate to regular water to perform well in the landscape. These are tough, low-maintenance, long-lived grasses that can take a good amount of drought once established. Native to Eurasia and North Africa, these grasses are popular ornamental plants in many gardens around the world. They are non-invasive, clumping, and can be used as a groundcover, to add movement and texture to mixed beds and borders, or as members of meadow, prairie, or modern landscapes.

sesleria Species and Varietals

The genus Sesleria is a member of the plant family Poaceae, and includes 36 distinct species. The grasses in this genus are related to those in Arrhenatherum (Oat Grass), Helictotrichon (Alpine Oatgrass), Agrostis (Bentgrass), Briza (Quaking Grass), Alopecurus (Foxtail Grass), Milium (Milletgrass), Festuca (Fescue), and Lolium (Ryegrass). The best growing zones for Sesleria vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Sesleria autumnalis (Autumn Moor Grass)
Best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 3b-10 and 14-24, this species forms spiky clumps of foliage that is lime green about 8-18 inches tall and just as wide. Tan flowers are held above foliage in late summer and fall. These grasses are native to southeastern Europe, where they grow in open grasslands, woods and meadows.

Sesleria caerulea (Blue Moor Grass)
Best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 or Sunset growing zones 2b-10 and 14-24, this species of Moor Grass reaches 6-8 inches tall and just as wide. Leaves are powder blue and dark green towards the base and have a slightly twisted shape. Purple-black flowers emerge on spikes in summer but are not showy. Plant in partial shade if not in a coastal area. Hybrid 'Greenlee' reaches to 1 foot tall and wide with pale purple flowers and green foliage.

Caring for Sesleria

Plant Sesleria in a space in the landscape that receives partial shade or full sun; ideally, they appreciate around 6 hours of sun to grow well. Sun exposure requirements vary depending on the species grown, however, so make sure to check the plant label before choosing a planting site. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Space these grasses 12 to 18 inches apart for a solid groundcover or mass planting for best coverage and airflow. Standalone specimens can be spaced 2 feet apart from other plants. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these grasses are moderately drought-tolerant, and should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Dividing Sesleria, or Moor Grass, is not strictly necessary for plant health, but is helpful if the clump becomes too crowded in its designated growing space. For instructions on how to successfully divide a Sesleria plant, see the Propagation section below. Sesleria typically survive in the landscape for a decade or more before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Sesleria, or Moor Grass, can be propagated either by dividing existing plants or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Moor Grass, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Sesleria by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. They are held on spiked inflorescences above the foliage. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, harvest the seeds. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Sesleria by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or early fall. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the rhizome roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate or cut the clump into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from extreme weather as it acclimates to its new home.