Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' (Blue Fescue)
Blue Fescue 'Elijah Blue', Festuca Ovina glauca 'Elijah Blue', Festuca Ovina glauca 'Elija-blue'Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue,’ commonly known as Blue Fescue, is a compact, clump-forming ornamental grass celebrated for its striking silver-blue foliage and low-maintenance nature. This perennial grass is a favorite among gardeners for its ability to add texture, color, and structure to landscapes. Its fine, needle-like leaves form dense mounds that maintain their vibrant hue throughout the growing season, making it a standout feature in borders, rock gardens, and containers.
‘Elijah Blue’ grows to a height of 8–12 inches and spreads about the same width, creating a neat, rounded appearance. In late spring to early summer, it produces delicate flower spikes that rise above the foliage. These flowers start as a soft blue-green, maturing to a buff color, adding subtle contrast to the plant’s silvery tones. This grass is semi-evergreen, retaining much of its foliage in milder winters, and is hardy in USDA zones 4–8. It thrives in full sun and tolerates a variety of soil types, provided they are well-drained.
Care Instructions
- Light: Requires full sun for the best foliage color and overall health. It can tolerate light shade but may lose some of its vibrant blue hue.
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil but adapts to poor, sandy, or rocky soils. Avoid overly wet or poorly drained conditions.
- Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once mature, it becomes drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering.
- Pruning: Trim back old foliage in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth and maintain a tidy appearance.
- Spacing: Space plants 8–12 inches apart for groundcover or mass planting to prevent overcrowding.
- Fertilizer: Minimal feeding is needed; a light application of balanced fertilizer in spring can enhance growth.
Festuca ‘Elijah Blue’ is an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscapes. Its drought tolerance, deer resistance, and ability to thrive in challenging conditions make it a versatile and reliable addition to gardens. Whether used as an accent, edging, or groundcover, this ornamental grass brings year-round interest and elegance to any outdoor space.
