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Sandberg bluegrass

Poa secunda · Poaceae

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

Ideal time to plant sandberg bluegrass: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.

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ID card

Family
Poaceae (grasses)
Foliage
Evergreen, fine and blue-tinted
Flowering
Spring (April to June)
Mature height
20 to 40 cm tall
Growth
Slow to moderate
Hardiness
Very hardy (down to -40 °C)
Origin
Western North America
Soil type
Well-drained, dry to moderately moist

Care

Light exposure

Sandberg bluegrass prefers full sun for optimal growth. It tolerates partial shade but will be less dense and vigorous. Plant it in an open location where it receives at least 6 hours of direct light daily.

Soil and planting

Choose well-drained soil that is rather dry to moderately moist, poor to average in nutrients. This grass adapts well to rocky, chalky and compacted soils. Avoid constantly wet soils which promote root rot.

Watering

Water moderately during establishment (first few months). Once established, this species is very drought-tolerant and requires virtually no watering in temperate climates. In very dry climates or in pots, a monthly watering in summer is sufficient.

Fertilizing

Sandberg bluegrass needs very little nutrients. A light application of compost or balanced fertilizer in spring is enough. Avoid overfeeding which promotes soft growth at the expense of density and drought tolerance.

Pruning and maintenance

Lightly comb the clump in spring (April) to remove dead leaves and stimulate regrowth. Short cutting is not recommended: let the plant grow back naturally. In late winter or early spring, you can cut back to 5-10 cm if it seems too dense.

Diseases and pests

This grass is very hardy and little susceptible to pests or diseases if it has good drainage. Persistent excess moisture remains the main risk. Under normal conditions, no treatment is necessary.

Did you know?

Sandberg bluegrass is a key species in the semi-arid prairies of the American West: it was the preferred forage of pioneer sheep herds and remains today one of the first grasses to green up in spring, signaling to livestock and farmers the return of forage abundance.

Where to buy it

Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.

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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.