Poa labillardierei

RHS Plant Profile
New Zealand blue grass

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New Zealand blue grass RHS 1999

Other common names

Australian blue grass

Grass Like
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A semi-evergreen grass forming a dense clump of arching, very slender blue-green leaves to 60cm long, with airy sprays of purplish flowers held above the foliage in mid summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Poa can be annual or perennial grasses forming clumps of linear leaves and open flowering panicles in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E & SE Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive, but well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Trim in spring and comb out dead foliage

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Rust can be a problem