Blue fescue, a compact and drought-tolerant ornamental grass, works in many garden controls and looks beautiful year-round.
It can be used as an accent plant in mass plantings, containers, and crevices.
Blue fescue is also drought tolerant, making it agreat choice for rock gardens.
Credit:Martin Tessler
Some blue fescue species can be toxic to pets.
Non-toxic varieties include fountain grass, blue fescue, tufted hairgrass, and switchgrass.
It is drought-tolerant, making it a good choice for home gardeners who live in arid regions.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
With its compact habit and blue foliage, blue fescue works well in many configs.
The classic blue color of the foliage accents most colors and makes a calming statement in a mass planting.
Blue fescue’s uniform habit adds texture and color when used in mixed containers.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
It stays in bounds and does not spread, so it works well as anedging plant.
If you plan on using these plants in masses, plant the same variety to maintain consistent foliage color.
Loosen the soil and addseed-starting mix.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Sprinkle the seeds sparingly on top of the soil mixture and cover only lightly.
After they germinate, thin the seedlings to 12 inches apart.
Keep the soil moist, not wet.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Blue Fescue Care Tips
Keeping these plants happy is a reasonably easy job.
Light
Planting blue fescuein full sunwill help the plant achieve its distinctive bright blue color.
In partial sun, leaves tend to be more on the green side.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Ideally, these plants likewell-drained and evenly moist soilsfor their blue color, so plant accordingly and water consistently.
They also appreciate supplemental watering while establishing themselves.
If they do, you cancut the foliage backand wait.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
you could put the plants in part sun in warmer climates to keep them cooler and prevent summer dormancy.
Blue fescue is tolerant of salt spray during the winter weather.
Pruning
Keep the plants looking tidy bydeadheading the flower headsand removing dead blades of the grass.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Pests and Problems
Blue fescue plants canattract aphids.
A blast of water can remove a small infestation.
Otherwise, treat the plants with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, following the instructions on the label.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
How to Propagate Blue Fescue
Unfortunately, blue fescue is a relatively short-lived perennial.
you might alleviate thisby regularly dividing the plants.
Replant new sections at the same depth as the original specimen.
Division prevents plants from dying out in the middle and looking unsightly.
Along with color development, researchers are working to create varieties of blue fescue that are more heat tolerant.
It forms a dense 10-inch-tall mound.
Plants range from tinycreeping groundcoversto 30-inch-tall cut flowers, which are a favorite with florists.
Blanket Flower
Blanket flowersare wonderfully cheerful, long-blooming plants for hot, sunny gardens.
They produce single or double daisy flowers through most of the summer and well into fall.
The light brick red flowers are tipped with yellow.
Blanket flowers tolerate light frost, and deer rarely eat them.
Deadhead the flowers to keep them blooming consistently through the summer and fall.
Some species tend to be short-lived, especially if the soil is not well-drained.
Someshrub rosesmay grow tall with vigorous, far-reaching canes; others stay compact.
Recent rose breeding has focused on developing hardier shrub roses for landscaping that needs little to no maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
No.
Blue fescue plants form attractive clumps that don’t spread, and they maintain this form year-round.
Occasionally, the plant may die back in the center due to heavy soil or hot temperatures.
This cool-season grass looks its best in spring and fall.
The plants turn a darker blue-green in late fall and maintain this shade in areas with mild winters.
Fescue Poisoning in Animals.Merck Veterinary Manual
