Buy blue fescue Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'

Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'

blue fescue

A compact, evergreen, ornamental grass, with greenish, needle-like leaves, that turn silvery blue-green when it gets lots of sun.

The foliage forms a dense hummock, which in summer is topped with short spikes of blue-green flowers that gradually fade to buff as they age.

Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' looks great in a gravel garden, and can be paired with either blue and purple-flowering perennials, or with Mediterranean-style plants - just make sure it's planted in full sun for the best foliage colour!

How to care for Festuca glauca Elijah Blue:

Festuca thrives in well-drained soil and a sunny position, where its striking blue foliage remains vibrant year-round. When planting, improve drainage by incorporating grit or sand if the soil is heavy.

Space plants around 30cm (12in) apart to allow for good air circulation. Water well after planting, but once established, it becomes more drought-tolerant though will benefit from additional irrigation during dry periods to maintain colour. Container-grown specimens should be watered regularly while they establish but avoid waterlogging.

In winter, comb through the plant with your fingers to remove dead foliage and maintain its neat appearance.

To keep plants looking fresh, divide clumps every few years or replace them if they become too woody or untidy.

Flowering period:

Eventual height:

0.3m

Eventual spread:

0.25m

Position:

Full sun

Rate of growth:

Average

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

Fully hardy