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.
On the CSU listlow to medium water6–10 in tall and 8–12 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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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
- Planting spacing
- ~8–12 in apart
- Growth habit
- Clumping
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in 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
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- cream
- Bloom time
- early summer
- Pollinator value
- low
- Site uses
- Hellstrips / parking strips
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
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 6–10 in tall and 8–12 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 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–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.
- Is Blue fescue a good firewise plant near the house?
- Blue fescue is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- 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.
