About
Festuca glauca, the blue fescue, is a compact, evergreen, mound-forming grass producing very fine, tightly inrolled, intense ice-blue leaves that are at their most vivid in summer, becoming somewhat greener in winter. Narrow, bristly, blue-green flower plumes turning golden-brown appear in late spring and early summer. One of the most popular and widely used ornamental grasses for edging, rock gardens and containers.
About the genus
Festuca, the fescues, are a large and varied genus of grasses, ranging from fine-leaved, compact mound-forming alpines to large, arching border grasses. Many have attractively coloured, often blue-green or silver-blue, fine-textured leaves and are grown as ornamental foliage plants in borders, rock gardens and containers.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toSW Europe
Care notes
CultivationGrow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Clumps tend to die out in the centre. Ideally divide every three years. Further ornamental grasses cultivation advice
PruningComb out dead foliage in spring and trim off damaged parts on older foliage
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust