Blue fescue
Festuca glauca
Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6 to 10 in tall and 8 to 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.
On the CSU listlow to medium water6 to 10 in tall and 8 to 12 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: no rights reserved
- Photo 2: (c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Hellstrips / parking strips
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6 to 10 in tall and 8 to 12 in wide
- Growth habit
- Clumping
- Planting spacing
- ~8 to 12 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer
- Bloom color
- cream
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Using Blue fescue as a groundcover
Blue fescue grows in tidy clumps. It fills in to a moderately dense cover.
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 a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Blue fescue get?
- It matures to about 6 to 10 in tall and 8 to 12 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Blue fescue?
- Space Blue fescue about 8 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 12 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Blue fescue hardy on the Front Range?
- Blue fescue is hardy in USDA 4 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- 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.
- Is Blue fescue deer-resistant?
- Blue fescue is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Can you walk on Blue fescue?
- Blue fescue isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Will Blue fescue spread or stay put?
- Blue fescue is clumping. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Blue fescue stay green in winter?
- Blue fescue keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
