Festuca glauca
 |
BLUE FESCUE
Family Name: Poaceae
Pronounced: fes-TOO-ka GLOW-ka
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Temperate regions.
Plant Group:
Grasses.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: All (Western).
USDA zones: 4-8.
Heat zones: 8-1.
Mature size:
Height: 12 inches (30 cm).
Width: 10 inches (25 cm).
Flowering period:
Early to midsummer.
Flowering attributes:
Spikes of violet and blue-green flowers.
Leaf attributes:
Inrolled, linear and smooth blue leaves.
Growth habit:
Evergreen, clump forming.
Light:
Full sun.
Soil:
Slightly fertile, dry, well-drained soil.
Propagation Methods:
Sow seed autumn to spring. | Divide every three years in spring.
Rainy Side Notes
Deadhead seed heads to restrain them from seeding around the garden. Festuca glauca is a well-behaved grass as long as you attend to deadheading. Otherwise, if you do not, be prepared to contend with many baby fescue seedlings. This is an annual chore, and worth it to add stunning blue foliage to the garden year round.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
Tell a friend about this page!
Questions, comments or suggestions? Would you like to communicate with other Pacific Northwest gardeners? Please join us on our forum.