Blue fescue should not be missing from the planting plan for the creative rock garden. No other perennial harmonizes better with the stony force of dry stone walls, rocky steppes and gravel beds. The shimmering blue ornamental grass also impresses with its robust, undemanding nature. These answers to frequently asked questions shed light on all relevant details about the decorative Festuca cinerea.
How to care for blue fescue in the garden?
Blue fescue is an undemanding ornamental grass that thrives in rock gardens, gravel beds and dry stone walls. It prefers sunny locations, sandy-loamy soil and only requires additional watering if it is persistently dry. The hardy grass reaches a height of 25-30 cm and shows yellowish-brown panicle flowers in June/July.
Planting blue fescue correctly
Planted in containers, you can plant blue fescue throughout the growing season as long as it doesn't freeze. Dig small pits 20 cm apart in a sunny location. It is beneficial for rooting if you enrich the excavation with compost or leaf mold. If in doubt, adding sand and fine grit improves permeability. Only plant the ornamental grass deep enough in the soil so that the base is just above the surface. Finally, water and mulch with pebbles or grit.
Care tips
The following care program provides convincing evidence why blue fescue is the ideal perennial for the low-maintenance garden:
- Only water moderately when dry conditions persist
- No fertilization is required in the bed
- Administer starter fertilization in the pot in March/April
- Cut off withered flower spikes in autumn
- You can choose to cut the grass close to the ground in March or comb it out with your fingers
Winter protection is not necessary for outdoor plants as Festuca cinerea is completely hardy. Light winter protection still makes sense in the pot so that the root ball does not freeze due to the exposed location. To do this, cover the container with jute or foil and push a wooden block under it.read more
Which location is suitable?
In the sunny location, the colorful colors of the blue fescue keep what the name promises. If you plant the ornamental grass in partial shade, the previously steel-blue stalks will turn green over time. A sheltered and warm place is an advantage for a decorative winter time. Under these conditions, the sweet grass adorns the otherwise empty garden with its spherical tuft of grass until spring.
What soil does the plant need?
The blue fescue achieves its optimum in sandy-loamy and moderately dry soil. When choosing a location, avoid damp locations, as the ornamental grass will not meet expectations here. The barren conditions in the rock garden or heather bed meet the wishes of the popular perennial perfectly.
When is flowering time?
In June and July, the yellowish-brown panicle flowers rise above the blue stalks. At this time the ornamental grass reaches its maximum height of 25-30 cm. Cut the withered stems down to the tuft of grass so that the harmonious, hemispherical silhouette is preserved throughout the winter.
Cut blue fescue correctly
Blue fescue is hardy and wintergreen. Therefore, only cut off the withered panicle flowers in autumn so that you can enjoy the distinctively shaped, steel-blue ornamental grass during the cold season. In early spring, cut the grass that has grown in close to the ground. If there are already fresh shoots, simply comb out the withered stalks with your hands.read more
Watering blue fescue
Under normal weather conditions, a blue fescue makes do with the rainfall. Only water the ornamental grass when it is persistently dry. Please note that the perennial does not like wet feet at all. Therefore, let the water from the can spout slowly run onto the root ball in order to recognize in good time when no more moisture is being absorbed.
Fertilize blue fescue properly
Only in lean, dry soil does a Festuca cinerea put on its steel-blue foliage. Additional nutrients have no place here. We only recommend starting fertilization in the spring in the form of liquid fertilizer, plant manure or worm tea if the substrate volume of a bucket is limited. However, this only applies if you have not recently repotted the ornamental grass into pre-fertilized soil.
Wintering
Blue fescue is completely hardy. The ornamental grass is unaffected even by bitter frost. Therefore, no precautions need to be taken outdoors. However, if the blue grass appears in the pot, the root ball behind the very thin container walls is vulnerable. Therefore, wrap a bucket with bubble wrap or jute ribbons and place it on a wooden block.
Propagate blue fescue
Dividing the root ball has proven to be an unbeatably simple method of propagation. To do this, dig up the cut-back clump in March/April, provided the ground has completely thawed. Place the root ball on a firm surface to cut into 2 or more segments. As long as a section has at least 3-4 leaves, it has the potential to become an adult blue fescue. It is important to note that you place the pieces exactly as deep in the ground as before.
Blue fescue in pot
They are pretty to look at in the pot and complement other perennials that also require lean, dry conditions. Use lean cactus, standard or pricking soil as a substrate and mix in sand or fine grit. Drainage made of pebbles or pottery shards prevents waterlogging at the bottom of the pot. Only water blue fescue in the pot when the substrate is completely dry. At the start of the season, administer a liquid fertilizer to stimulate growth. The withered panicle flowers are cut off in autumn as they affect the visual appearance. Cut the grass itself close to the ground in March or comb out the withered stalks with your fingers. Before the first frost, the pot is given a winter coat made of jute or bubble wrap. A base made of wood or Styrofoam also makes sense.
Is blue fescue poisonous?
Blue fescue does not contain any he alth-threatening substances. The ornamental grass is therefore absolutely suitable for the family garden. If your nosey cat or curious dog nibbles on the stalks, this is no cause for concern.read more
Beautiful varieties
- Elijah Blue: Beautiful blue fescue with a spherical habit and intensely bright blue stalks; 10-25cm
- Uchte: Cushion-forming ornamental grass whose steel-blue leaves decorate the garden throughout the winter; 10-25cm
- Great Egret: Beautiful Festuca cinerea, which sets impressive accents as a silvery-blue ground cover; 10-25cm
- Blauglut: This variety grows a little higher to show off in rock gardens and large containers; 10-30cm
- Mountain Silver: Valuable hybrid with an elegant, hemispherical silhouette for beds, graves and pots; 10-30cm