Blue fescue Festuca glauca
Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Poaceae family, native to Southern France and nearby mountains of western Europe. It grows 20–30 cm (8–12 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Blue fescue in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Blue fescue at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern France and nearby mountains of western Europe |
| Common in gardens of | 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Blue fescue toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Blue fescue
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Blue fescue in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Denver Botanic Gardens (12 plants)
- Riverside botanical garden (10 plants)
Questions about Blue fescue
- How far apart should I plant Blue fescue?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Blue fescue need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Blue fescue need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Blue fescue?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Blue fescue flower?
- From about June for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Blue fescue poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Blue fescue?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Blue fescue. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Short-lived: clumps die out in the centre after 3 to 5 years and are best divided.
- Dislikes hot, humid summers and wet winters.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
- Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium