Festuca glauca Blaufuchs (Blue Fescue)

Festuca glauca ‘Blaufuchs’ or ‘Blue Fox’ is a pretty dwarf ornamental grass, mostly grown for its brilliant silver-blue foliage that will catch your eye. Densely tufted, the foliage of finely-textured, blade-like needles forms a neat mound topped by upright flower plumes in summer.

Festuca glauca 'Blaufuchs' or 'Blue Fox' is a pretty dwarf ornamental grass, mostly grown for its brilliant silver-blue foliage that will catch your eye. Densely tufted, the foliage of finely-textured, blade-like needles forms a neat mound topped by upright flower plumes in summer. At first, the flowers are colored like the foliage before maturing to light tan. Stunning when massed as a ground cover, Blue Fescue adds a superb color accent to the landscape. Aside from its foliage interest, Blue Fescue tolerates cold, heat, humidity, low water, poor soils and is deer resistant.

  • Grows up to 6-8 in. tall and wide (15-20 cm). 
  • Performs best in full sun in poor, moderately fertile, well-drained soils. Part shade is appreciated in hot summer climates. Provide good air circulation in humid areas.
  • A great candidate for borders, edging, in mass planting as a ground coverrock gardens, cottage gardens, city gardens or containers.
  • This plant often looks best if the flowers are sheared off.
  • Short-lived, Blue Fescue tends to die out in the center after 2-4 years. Shearing your plant in late winter often contributes to extend its life and promotes a neater appearance.
  • Propagate by division in spring

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 9

Heat Zones 1
– 8

Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Festuca – Fescues
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 6"
– 8"
(15cm
– 20cm)
Spread 8"
– 1'
(20cm
– 30cm)
Spacing 12″
– 24″
(30cm
– 60cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Edging, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden