Botanical Name: Festuca ovina glauca
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Common Name: Blue Fescue  
Plant photo of: Festuca ovina glauca
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Water Saving Tip:

Check the soil's moisture level before watering.

You can reduce your water use 20-50% by regularly checking the soil before watering.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Ground cover, Grass

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

Gold

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Blue Green, Grey Green, Silver

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Very Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Japanese, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish, Native Garden, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Parking Strip, Patio, Parking Lot, Raised Planter, Walkways, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Container, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Lawn Alternative, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Normans/Engstrom
  • Description

  • Notes

This group of ornamental grasses generally grow less than a foot tall and have fine, green to blue-green, evergreen leaves that are very thin and hair-like. Flowers appear in the summer and have an airy and open appearance. Prefers full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade if not over-watered. It needs well draining soil and is drought tolerant once it's established. An evergreen, it may need tidying up in the spring; trim out dead foliage and seed heads.
Grow in full sun to a little shade, in well drained soil. not particular as to type or pH, as long as it is well drained and not wet or dampish. Fescues resent wet soils so take care to not over-water; when planting, set the plant so the crown is slightly above soil grade to give it a good start (see Guides). Cut back to within 3 to 4 inches of the crown in early spring. sometimes blue fescues die out in the center; if this happens, dig it up in spring, divide it (removing the dead center), and replant.