Sesleria autumnalis

Sesleria autumnalis, sometimes called Autumn Sesleria, is a remarkable small grass that forms a very dense and bright small tuft, usually evergreen. Little used in our gardens, this perennial native to European mountains and heathlands is interesting for its narrow and very bright green foliage that takes on a golden hue over the months, and its thin white-silver feathery flower spikes in late summer. Attractive all year round, completely hardy and perfectly adapted to all climates, it tolerates poor, rocky soil. A useful grass in a small space or along a path to structure a natural area or a contemporary-style garden.

Sesleria autumnalis is a perennial grass of the poaceae family. It forms a dense tuft with slightly bristly linear foliage, 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24in) tall and wide, depending on the growing conditions and the richness of the soil. Its foliage is very bright green in spring and takes on a golden, almost lemon-yellow hue in summer if planted in full sun. It dries out before winter, but constantly renews itself. Narrow tubular flower spikes usually appear in August and turn white-silver when ripe. The plant's beauty reaches its peak in autumn, as its name suggests.

Autumn Sesleria is not a spectacular plant, but it offers rustic charm and blond spikes at the end of the season and maintains structure in the winter flower beds. It is highly adaptable and non-invasive, thriving north and south, in flatlands and mountains, by the sea or in rocky terrain. It looks beautiful alongside perennials like lavender, coreopsis, autumn asters, chrysanthemums, echinacea, small sunflowers, and many others. It forms a good ground cover, even in shade, where it can be planted with periwinkles, dead nettles, and epimediums. In a natural garden, it can be planted en masse, allowing the wind to create golden, undulating waves.