Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)

Blue Fescue

Festuca glauca

Powdery blue foliage brings cool, soft texture to borders. Compact ornamental grass; common name: Blue Fescue.

Full sun
1–2/week
Beginner
🌱

Plant Needs

☀️
Sunlight Full sun to partial shade; full sun intensifies the silvery-blue foliage color
💧
Watering Allow top 2–3 cm of soil to dry between waterings; drought-tolerant once established
🌡️
Temperature Hardy to -15°C; tolerates heat up to 35°C with occasional deep watering
🔍

Characteristics

  • Leaf: Fine, needle-like, silvery-blue evergreen foliage forming tight mounds
  • Flower: Slender, upright stems bearing pale green to tan spikelets
  • Habit: Non-invasive clumping grass with fibrous root system
🛠️

Care Guide

Watering

Water regularly to establish young plants; reduce frequency once mature

Fertilization

Light, balanced feed once in early spring. Over-fertilization can cause foliage to lose its distinctive blue color

Eggshell powder topdressing:Crush dried eggshells into fine powder; sprinkle lightly on soil surface in early spring to improve drainage
Pruning
  • Trim back dead foliage in early spring to encourage fresh new growth
  • Remove spent flower stems to maintain a tidy clump appearance
  • Divide overcrowded clumps every 2–3 years in early spring to rejuvenate growth
⚠️

Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA confirms no toxicity to cats

Humans: No known toxicity to humans

📖

Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: Symbolizes calm and tranquility in minimalist garden design

Usage: Ornamental groundcover, rock garden accent, container filler