Poa labillardieri 'Eskdale'
grass

Eskdale Tussock Grass, Blue Tussock Grass, Common Tussock Grass 'Eskdale', Meadow Grass

Poa labillardieri 'Eskdale'

The Story

Plant Bio

Poa labillardieri, native to southern and eastern Australia, is a long-lived, tussock-forming perennial grass found in open forests, grassy woodlands, and river flats. The species forms dense, fine-textured mounds of arching foliage that help stabilise soils and provide habitat for native wildlife.

'Eskdale' is a selected cultivar distinguished by its vibrant blue-green to deep blue-grey foliage that retains its colour and glows well in winter light. It produces significantly less dead straw in the center of the clump than the wild species and exhibits high tolerance to both freezing winters and hot, dry summers.

Uses & Benefits:

Ornamental UsesProvides structural, fountain-like blue-grey foliage that retains its vibrant colour through winter, topped by dancing summer seed heads.
Practical UsesEstablishes a deep root system rapidly to suppress weeds and stabilise soils against erosion on banks and slopes.
Ecological BenefitsProvides essential habitat and shelter for native insects and ground-dwelling fauna, while native seed-eating birds consume the seeds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

24 inches

Width

20 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Summer

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

In flower about 1 month of the year

Planting

How to Grow

  1. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and of equal depth in a full sun to partially shaded position.
  2. Gently remove the plant from its pot, lightly loosening any outer roots if they are beginning to circle.
  3. Position the plant in the hole so the crown sits level with the surrounding soil surface, then backfill and firm down.
  4. Water thoroughly to settle the soil, and maintain regular moisture until the deep root system establishes over the first few months.

Pro Tip

Prune the clump back by about 15 centimetres from the base in late winter or early spring every few years; cutting too deep into the old, dead woody crown will kill the plant.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

  • Do prune back the foliage by about 15 cm from the base in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh, vibrant growth.
  • Do plant in well-drained soil, though it tolerates clay, loam, and sandy profiles.
  • Do apply a low-phosphorus slow-release native fertiliser sparingly in early spring if soil nutrients are poor.

Don't

  • Don't scalp the plant into the dead woody base wood, as this prevents regrowth and can kill the clump.
  • Don't plant in heavy shade with prolonged waterlogging, which induces root rot.
  • Don't apply high-phosphorus fertilisers, although it is less sensitive than Proteaceae species.

Seasonal Care Calendar

TaskJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Divide
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Mass plantingErosion control on slopesBorder edgingRock gardensNaturalistic grassy drifts

Companion Plants

Lomandra cultivarsDianella cultivarsNative wildflowers

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Eskdale Tussock Grass, Blue Tussock Grass, Common Tussock Grass 'Eskdale', Meadow Grass questions

What zones can Eskdale Tussock Grass, Blue Tussock Grass, Common Tussock Grass 'Eskdale', Meadow Grass grow in?

Eskdale Tussock Grass, Blue Tussock Grass, Common Tussock Grass 'Eskdale', Meadow Grass is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Eskdale Tussock Grass, Blue Tussock Grass, Common Tussock Grass 'Eskdale', Meadow Grass bloom?

Eskdale Tussock Grass, Blue Tussock Grass, Common Tussock Grass 'Eskdale', Meadow Grass typically blooms in summer through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Eskdale Tussock Grass, Blue Tussock Grass, Common Tussock Grass 'Eskdale', Meadow Grass need full sun?

Eskdale Tussock Grass, Blue Tussock Grass, Common Tussock Grass 'Eskdale', Meadow Grass does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Eskdale Tussock Grass, Blue Tussock Grass, Common Tussock Grass 'Eskdale', Meadow Grass drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Eskdale Tussock Grass, Blue Tussock Grass, Common Tussock Grass 'Eskdale', Meadow Grass handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.

More Poa to compare

Common Tussock-grass, Tussock Poa, Blue Tussock Grass

Common Tussock-grass, Tussock Poa, Blue Tussock Grass

Poa labillardierei

Zones 7–10· 4 saves

Keep exploring

Explore the genus

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