Overview
Festuca glauca is a clump-forming grass in the genus Festuca, part of the Poaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Festuca glauca grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, containers and ground cover. It is native to Europe.
About
Festuca glauca, commonly known as blue fescue, is a species of flowering plant in the grass family, Poaceae. It is a commonly cultivated evergreen or semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Festuca glauca
About the genus
Festuca (fescue) is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the grass family Poaceae. They are evergreen, herbaceous, or perennial, tufted grasses with a height range of 10–200 cm (4–79 in) and a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. The genus is closely related to ryegrass (Lolium), and recent evidence from phylogenetic studies using DNA sequencing of plant mitochondrial DNA shows that the genus lacks monophyly.
Wikipedia contributors, "Festuca", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Festuca
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Festuca
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Festuca glauca size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass
- Habit
- Clump-forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Borders, containers, ground cover
- Native to
- Europe
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Festuca glauca
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil and full sun; drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged conditions.
- Pruning
- Cut back old foliage in early spring to encourage fresh growth.
- Propagation
- Division, seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to rust
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Festuca glauca?
Prefers well-drained soil and full sun; drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged conditions.
Where is the best place to plant Festuca glauca?
Festuca glauca prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Festuca glauca need?
Festuca glauca grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
How do I prune Festuca glauca?
Cut back old foliage in early spring to encourage fresh growth.
Is Festuca glauca hardy in the UK?
Festuca glauca has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Festuca glauca?
Division, seed.
