About

An evergreen perennial grass to 60cm, forming a neat clump of rough, linear yellow to chartreuse leaves. Tall, upright panicles of creamy-white flowers appear in the summer, making an excellent base or backdrop for other plants to grow through.

About the genus

Sesleria are clump-forming evergreen grasses with linear leaves and dense short flowering spikes in late spring or summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeGrass Like
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toItaly to Balkan Peninsula

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Intolerant of acid soil. See ornamental grasses cultivation for further advice
PruningRemove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn or by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free