Blue Moor Grass
Blue Moor Grass
Blue Moor Grass is a clumping, cool-season grass that brings tidy blue-green tufts to Plymouth, Maple Grove, and Edina garden edges — evergreen-like through most of the Twin Cities winter.
About Blue Moor Grass
| Botanical Name | Sesleria caerulea |
| Mature Size | 12-18in tall × 12in wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Small black-purple flower spikes in spring |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6+ hrs) for most ornamental grasses. A few (Blue Moor Grass) tolerate light shade. |
| Water Needs | Low. Drought-tolerant once established — average MN rainfall is plenty. |
| Soil | Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Adapts to most well-drained soils. |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a). Reliable to -40°F for most native grass cultivars. |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed — ornamental grasses are one of the most deer-proof plant categories |
| Foliage | Deciduous — grass blades emerge in spring, mature through summer, hold form (often with golden fall color) into winter |
| Growth Rate | Fast — reaches full size in one or two seasons |
Why You'll Love Blue Moor Grass
Winter structure
Ornamental grasses hold their golden form through Minnesota's five-month winter — one of the few things that look great against snow. Pair with red-twig dogwood for maximum winter impact.
Pollinator + bird habitat
Grass seed heads feed birds through fall and winter. Native bunchgrass clumps are critical nesting habitat for ground-dwelling pollinators.
Low-water plantings
Once established, ornamental grasses thrive on natural rainfall — no supplemental watering needed. Perfect for boulevard strips, dry slopes, and parking-area plantings.
Compact blue evergreen-like grass for edges
Stays neat all season — no flop, no flush, no fuss. That's why Blue Moor Grass has earned a spot in our Minnesota launch catalog — it's a grass we're confident will thrive in your Twin Cities landscape.
Planting Blue Moor Grass in the Twin Cities
Best planting window: Spring (mid-April through early June) or early fall (late August through late September). Avoid planting during peak summer heat — Twin Cities heat waves can stress newly installed root balls.
Site selection: Full sun (6+ hrs) for most ornamental grasses. A few (Blue Moor Grass) tolerate light shade. Choose a location with the mature size of 12-18in tall × 12in wide in mind — give Blue Moor Grass room to fill out without crowding fences, sidewalks, or neighboring plants.
Soil prep: Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Adapts to most well-drained soils. If your Twin Cities yard has heavy clay (common in Plymouth, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata), amend the planting hole with 25-30% compost to improve drainage. For sandy soils in parts of Anoka and Washington counties, mix in compost to improve water retention.
How to plant:
- Dig a hole 2× the width of the root ball and the same depth.
- Loosen the sides of the hole — slick clay walls block root expansion.
- Set Blue Moor Grass so the top of the root ball is 1-2" above grade.
- Backfill with native soil mixed 25% with compost. Tamp gently.
- Water deeply (5+ gallons) immediately after planting.
- Mulch 2-3" deep, keeping mulch 2" away from the stem.
Watering & Care
First year (establishment): Water deeply 1-2× per week from April through October. Blue Moor Grass needs consistent moisture to develop a strong root system for its first Minnesota winter. Check soil moisture 4-6" deep — water when the top 2-3" feels dry.
Established (year 2+): Low. Drought-tolerant once established — average MN rainfall is plenty. During typical Twin Cities summers, supplemental water during 2+ week dry spells is enough.
Winter prep: Water deeply in late October before ground freeze — this protects Blue Moor Grass through dry winter winds. Apply a fresh 2-3" layer of mulch in November to insulate the root zone through deep freezes.
Pruning: Cut back to 4–6 inches in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Do NOT cut back in fall — the foliage provides winter interest and wildlife habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Moor Grass hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Blue Moor Grass is rated for zones 3-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — the Twin Cities metro is zone 4b–5a, well within its hardiness range. Stays neat all season — no flop, no flush, no fuss.
How fast does Blue Moor Grass grow?
Fast — reaches full size in one or two seasons. Expect mature size (12-18in tall × 12in wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Blue Moor Grass?
Rarely browsed — ornamental grasses are one of the most deer-proof plant categories. In high-deer-pressure suburbs (Wayzata, Stillwater, Hudson), supplemental fencing or repellents may help young plants establish.
Can I plant Blue Moor Grass in part shade?
Full sun (6+ hrs) for most ornamental grasses. A few (Blue Moor Grass) tolerate light shade.
What size gallon should I buy?
We typically offer Blue Moor Grass in #2, #5, #10, and sometimes larger gallon sizes. Smaller sizes establish faster and cost less; larger sizes give instant impact. For most Twin Cities residential landscapes, #5 or #10 gallon is the sweet spot.
Where We Deliver
Three Timbers Minnesota delivers and installs Blue Moor Grass across the Twin Cities metro — Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Bloomington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, Roseville, Shoreview, Stillwater, Woodbury, Hudson, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Victoria, Chaska, and surrounding communities. Live Blue Moor Grass grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Blue Moor Grass Do I Need?
Blue Moor Grass forms tidy 12-inch clumps, so plant on 12-inch centers for a continuous blue-green edge or low sweep. Use the run length below to estimate counts:
| Edge / row length | Plants needed (12 in apart) |
| 10 ft | 10 |
| 20 ft | 20 |
| 30 ft | 30 |
| 40 ft | 40 |
For a soft mass or rock-garden drift, plant in groups of 5–7.
Blue Moor Grass Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Among the first grasses to green up — fresh blue-green blades push out early, topped by small black-purple flower spikes.
- Summer: Holds a neat, cool blue-green mound through Twin Cities heat with no flop or flush.
- Fall: Foliage takes on soft golden tints and keeps its tidy form as nights cool.
- Winter: Stays largely evergreen and upright — one of the few grasses that reads tidy rather than tattered against snow.
At a Glance
✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Shade-Tolerant ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Little Bluestem — a taller native grass for vertical contrast behind the blue tufts
- Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass — upright golden plumes that rise above the low mound
- Blue Fortune Hyssop — lavender-blue spikes and pollinators over the cool foliage
- Autumn Fire Sedum — rose-red late-season heads for a tidy, drought-tough pairing
Is Blue Moor Grass Right for Your Yard?
Blue Moor Grass thrives in full sun to light shade in any well-drained Twin Cities soil, shrugging off heat, drought, and deer once established — ideal for crisp edges, rock gardens, and low boulevard sweeps. Not the best fit if your site stays wet or heavily shaded, where the clump loses its tidy blue color and can rot.