Festuca glauca 'Boulder Blue' - Boulder Blue Fescue

F. Boulder Blue is not as soft-looking as F. Elijah Blue, but is a very bright blue, and seems a little more drought tolerant. All the blue fescues look great with sedums as a ground cover. Two particularly nice ones are Sedum album with its coral tones, and Sedum spurium 'Fuldaglut'.

Description: cool season; clump forming
Foliage is an intense blue colour; narrow blade width; 15-25 cm (6-10") tall; more upright than F. 'Elijah Blue'
Flowers in May and June; 20-30 cm (8-12") in height

Ideal conditions: full sun, light shade; moist well-drained soil; drought tolerant in shaded areas; does well in cool coastal sites

Coldest zone: 3 (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness)

Partner with: rock garden plants, purple-leaved plants, Koeleria pyramidata, Crocus vernus, Veronica spicata 'Nana', small sedums

Season of interest: year-round in mild climates

Suggested uses: specimen, container, rock garden, sunny border, massing

Recommended plant spacing: 20-40 cm (8-16") why such a difference?

Drought tolerance rating: 2 (water to root depth once every 2 weeks); further info

Pronounciation: Festuca (fes-TOO-kah) glauca (GLOU-kah)

More ornamental grasses

Compare Festuca glauca 'Boulder Blue' to our other grasses in this handy chart.