Sesleria autumnalis (Autumn Moor Grass) Unity Grown

Sesleria autumnalis, commonly called autumn moor grass, is a showy ornamental grass originally native to southeastern Europe, including the Balkan states and near the eastern Alps, but which is now commonly used as a groundcover planting in North America. Growing to a compact size of about 12" tall and wide, autumn moor grass has a clumping growth habit with foliage that arcs gracefully, creating a dense, showy groundcover mass when planted together. In the late spring or early summer, Sesleria autumnalis produces silvery, tassled flower spikes which can add another 12" of height atop the plants' foliage. While autumn moor grass is a little lacking for ecological benefits in the northeast, since it doesn't necessarily support pollinators or caterpillars as a host plant, this is one of the reasons it has been so highly valued as an ornamental in the last few years: almost a complete lack of pest issues.

While some native ornamental grasses and sedges can suffer from caterpillar and leaf-miner damage, Sesleria autumnalis is nearly pest free, and is low maintenance and easy to grow, requiring typically only one cut per year in late winter. Autumn moor grass can grow in full sun or partial shade, similar to many ornamental sedges, and it is tolerant of drought and dry soils, can help prevent erosion, and can be planted underneath black walnuts without fear of suffering from juglone exposure. Additionally, since Sesleria autumnalis is fairly slow to mature and spread, it poses no risk of becoming invasive over time like might be seen with lily turf, making autumn moor grass a graceful and attractive pick for underplantings, part shade woodland gardens, and in beds or small garden spaces planted en masse.