Sesleria autumnalis - AUTUMN MOOR GRASS (fall flowering)

Evergreen, clumping grass that blooms from mid to late fall, with the spent flowers persisting the whole winter. Tough, adaptable, and drought tolerant; tolerant to lighter dry shade and provides year-round interest.

Award of Garden Merit by Royal Horticultural Society and one of the "100 Must-Have Garden Plants" (Gardens Illustrated Magazine). This favorite grass of the famous garden designer Piet Oudolf has been used in large drifts in New York City’s Highline and Chicago’s Lurie Garden.

Slowly spreading and well-behaved, sterile clumps (no seeding or sprouting too far from the original plant) offer dense, ground-covering growth. The chartreuse (pea green) leaves are evergreen to semi-evergreen, though it's the best to cut the plants back in early spring for a new, fresh look.

Use it as a groundcover or edging plant, in small groups, masses, difficult urban conditions, and dry shade, or for erosion control. 

No pests or diseases. Tolerates black walnut trees, harsh urban conditions, and salinity. Will not tolerate waterlogged soils. Does well throughout the USA, except in deserts and the hot/humid south. 

Blooming Time: September - October
Size: 9-12" tall and wide
USDA Zones: 5 to 9
Culture: full sun to half shade; prefers moderately fertile soils with some drainage but is adaptable to many soil types, including clay
Moisture Needs: average to drier
Origin: southern and southeastern Europe (Italy to Albania)
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: no / yes
Attracts Hummingbirds: no
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" perennial pot
Plant Combinations: easily combined with many common perennials; let's at least mention Agastache, Aster, Amsonia, Baptisia, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Euphorbia, Gaura, Geum, Iris x barbata (bearded Iris), Nepeta, Paeonia, Penstemon, Rudbeckia, Pycnanthemum, Salvia nemorosa, and Sedum - it may also be paired with other taller grasses

Picture Copyright: US Perennials, LLC