Festuca glauca aka Blue Fescue

Festuca glauca, or blue fescue, is a small perennial grass. It belongs to the grass family, Poaceae. Its native range covers parts of central and southern Europe. These include France, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland. It forms dense, rounded clumps and has a short lifespan. This cool-season grass keeps some leaves through winter. Gardeners grow it mainly for its blue-gray leaves.

Clumps reach about 0.75–1 foot [0.23–0.30 metres] tall. They spread about 1–1.5 feet [0.30–0.46 metres] wide. Flower stems can raise the height to 1.17 feet [0.36 metres]. The fine, narrow blades point up and curve outward. Individual leaves can reach 0.83 feet [0.25 metres] long. Their needle-like form gives the clump a fine texture. Leaves may keep their blue-gray color through mild winters. Hard winters can turn them brown.

Small green flowers carry a faint purple tint. They grow in panicles at the tips of raised stems. Both NC State and Missouri Botanical Garden list June to July. Chicago Botanic Garden lists a broader May to August season. The blooms add little show compared with the leaves. Brown to buff seed heads follow the flowers. The fruit is a caryopsis, a type of grain. Seeds can sprout around the parent clump. The seed heads also draw small birds.

Blue fescue grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It accepts some shade, but sun gives stronger leaf color. It tolerates drought, poor soil, and dry, rocky sites. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Dry to moderately moist soil suits it. Wet ground and poor drainage do not. Sources place it in USDA zones 4–8. Hot, humid summers can cause the leaves to decline. Its foliage looks best in spring and fall.

Use blue fescue along paths or at the front of borders. It also suits rock gardens, containers, and small ground-cover areas. Its color and texture mix well with other ornamental grasses. Clump centers can die, leaving gaps in the mound. Divide and replant clumps every two to three years. Early spring trimming helps clear old leaves for new growth. Division is the preferred way to make more plants. Plants raised from seed may differ in leaf color. NC State reports no major insect or disease problems. Deer and rabbits may graze the leaves. The supplied sources do not establish human edibility or toxicity.