Blue Fescue
Festuca glauca
flowerBlue fescue is a compact, clump-forming ornamental grass grown for its tidy, rounded mounds of very fine, steel-blue, semi-evergreen foliage just 6 to 12 in tall and wide. Slender flower stalks rise above in spring and summer but the blooms are insignificant; the foliage is the show. It is drought tolerant and perfect for edging, rock gardens, mass plantings, and containers, though its one weakness is that clumps tend to die out in the center and need dividing every two to three years.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 8 days
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Bloom
~60 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
8-12 in apart
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Planting Depth
Set at the same depth as the nursery pot
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Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Light, dry to average, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 8
When to Fertilize
Light feeding in spring; little needed
Fertilizer
Balanced; low needs
🌱 Growing Guide
Plant blue fescue in full sun for the strongest blue color, in light, well-drained soil; it resists drought and dry soil but rots in heavy, poorly drained ground. Avoid overwatering. The blue is best in cool conditions and can fade or thin in the heat and humidity of the deep South. Comb or shear out the dead blades in early spring and remove spent flower stalks for neatness. Divide clumps every couple of years to renew them as the centers die out. It is low-maintenance and largely pest-free.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care, and they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first bloom
Jun 14
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Sedum: A drought-tolerant succulent that shares the dry, sharply drained niche
- Lavender: Loves the same hot, dry, well-drained soil and contrasts in color
- Black-eyed Susan: Bright flowers above the low blue mounds in sunny plantings
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
A turf mold that can affect clumps under long snow cover; improve drainage and rake out matted growth in spring
From wet, poorly drained soil; plant in light, sharply drained ground and water sparingly
Occasional orange pustules in wet weather; thin for airflow and remove affected blades
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Blue fescue is grown for foliage and needs little upkeep. In early spring, comb out or shear off the dead inner blades to freshen the mound, and remove the flower stalks after they fade if you prefer a neat look. Divide tired clumps every two to three years to keep the color and form crisp.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Blue fescue is an ornamental, not edible. Its value is neat, year-round steel-blue foliage and fine texture for edging, rock gardens, and containers, with good drought tolerance. Have a different variety? Cultivars of the same species share the same basic care, so this guide still applies even if your exact form is not shown.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.