Blue fescue
Festuca glauca
Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–10 in tall and 8–12 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Steel-blue grass tufts — striking textural accent. Looks ratty without occasional summer water; replace every 3-4 years as centers die out.
low to medium water6–10 in tall and 8–12 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Festuca glauca
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Elijah Blue', 'Boulder Blue'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 6–10 in tall and 8–12 in wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- cream
- Bloom time
- early summer
- Pollinator value
- low
- Good for
- hellstrip
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer; supplemental water during peak summer keeps it looking good (not strictly xeric).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Blue fescue good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Blue fescue is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a groundcover suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Blue fescue get?
- It matures to about 6–10 in tall and 8–12 in wide.
- How much water does Blue fescue need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Blue fescue native to Colorado?
- No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
