Overview
Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' is a tufted, compact mound-forming grass in the genus Festuca, part of the Poaceae family, with evergreen, fine, in-rolled leaves foliage. Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained soils and neutral and alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens, ground cover and containers. 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, partial shade
- Soil type
- well-drained
- Soil pH
- neutral, alkaline
- Soil moisture
- dry,moist
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- full sun
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass
- Habit
- Tufted, Compact mound-forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen, Fine, In-rolled leaves
- Suggested uses
- borders, rock gardens, ground cover, containers
- Native to
- Europe
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue'
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Avoid wet soils.
- Pruning
- Cut back old foliage in early spring to encourage fresh growth.
- Propagation
- Division in spring or seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Rust
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue'?
Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Avoid wet soils.
Where is the best place to plant Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue'?
Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits full sun positions.
What soil does Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' need?
Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' grows best in well-drained soil. It prefers neutral and alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays dry to moist.
How do I prune Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue'?
Cut back old foliage in early spring to encourage fresh growth.
Is Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' hardy in the UK?
Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' 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 'Intense Blue'?
Division in spring or seed.
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