Skip to product information
Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Sapphire'
Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Sapphire'

Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Sapphire'

$14.95

Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Sapphire' is a striking ornamental grass prized for its silvery blue foliage that maintains color year round in milder climates. Its fine upright blades form a tidy fountain like clump topped with pale wheat colored flower spikes that sway above the foliage. The cool toned structure provides year round interest and contrast in rock gardens, sunny borders, and modern landscape designs.

Height & Spread: 24 - 36 in x 18 - 24 in

Bloom Time: Mid to late summer

Light Requirements: Full sun

Soil Preference: Well drained, sandy or rocky soils

Watering Needs: Low once established; avoid overly wet conditions

Deer Resistance: Generally avoided by deer

Native Status

Helictotrichon sempervirens is native to the mountainous regions of Europe, particularly the Alps. While 'Sapphire' is a cultivated form, it retains the species’ adaptability and performance in dry sunny conditions.

WILDLIFE & INSECTS

Beneficial Insects

  • Provides shelter and overwintering sites for beneficial ground beetles, spiders, and predatory insects within its dense basal clumps.

Birds

  • In late fall and winter the seed heads offer a modest food source for small birds like finches and juncos, while the base provides cover from predators.

Spacing & Landscape Use

Spacing Recommendations:

  • Plant 18 - 24 in apart to allow for air circulation and showcase the elegant form of each clump.

Landscape Placement:

  • Use as a focal grass in rock gardens, xeriscapes, or sunny perennial borders. It pairs beautifully with warm toned flowers and offers contrast to green leaved plants.

Companion Plants

  • Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) - Silvery stems and airy blue flowers mirror the texture and tone of 'Sapphire' for a cohesive design.
  • Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' - Feathery foliage and golden yellow blooms create vibrant contrast against the cool grass tones.
  • Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' - Aromatic purple flower spikes enhance the drought tolerance and visual rhythm of the planting.
  • Achillea millefolium 'Moonshine' - Soft yellow flowers and ferny leaves complement the upright structure and color palette.
  • Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Deep violet flower spikes provide strong vertical contrast and attract pollinators to the planting scheme.

You may also like