-
CATEGORY ::
- All Seeds /
- All Ornamental Grass Seeds
Blue Fescue Seeds
About...
Blue Fescue (Festuca cinerea glauca Varna) - Create low-growing clumps with Blue Fescue seed. These ornamental grasses are excellent for the front of the border, and the blue-green color complements colorful ornamentals. The Blue Fescue plant can survive extended droughts and the stress of a drought only deepens the color of the ornamental grass.
MORE ORNAMENTAL GRASS OPTIONS
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
68F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
2 - 3 weeks
LIGHT REQUIRED
Yes
DEPTH
Do not cover seeds, but light press into soil
SOWING RATE
3 seeds per plant
MOISTURE
Keep seeds moist until germination
PLANT SPACING
12 inches
Blue Fescue (Festuca cinerea glauca Varna) - Create low-growing clumps with Blue Fescue seed. This drought tolerant ornamental grassk is excellent for the front of the border, and the blue-green color complements colorful ornamentals. Blue Fescue has traditionally been viewed only as a clumping ornamental grass with a few plants spaced in a landscape bed, but Blue Fescue grass also mixes well with wildflowers and does not crowd them out. A low maintenance, water conservation ground cover can be created by using Blue Fescue ornamental grass seed.
The waxy leaf covering reduces transpiration so the Blue Fescue plant can survive extended droughts and the stress of a drought only deepens the color of the ornamental grass. Blue Fescue is one of the shortest ornamental grasses available, with the foliage not exceeding 12 inches in height, so mowing is only needed to remove seed heads if desired. It has good winter color and looks green during this period. Blue Fescues are very shade tolerant, often found in the dry shade of trees. Blue Fescue plant care includes cutting the plant back to 2 inches in the early spring. Trim flower heads to prevent self-sowing. This ornamental grass seems to prefer some neglect so it is perfect for the xeriscape garden where water conservation and drought tolerance are important.
How To Grow Blue Fescue Ornamental Grass From Seeds: Blue Fescue seeds can be started either indoors in late winter or directly outside once frost danger has passed. For indoor sowing, use small peat pots or containers, fill with seed starting mix, and press 3 ornamental grass seeds into the soil. Lightly cover the grass seeds and keep them moist until germination. For outdoors sowing, weed and loosen the soil and add a generous amount of seed starting mix to the soil. Space the Blue Fescue grass seeds about 12 inches apart. Once seedlings are about 4 inches in height, bunch the leaves together and trim off 1/2 inch or so. Trimming encourages greater root development and a uniform look. The seedlings will appear green with the blue being added to the grass as the drought tolerant plant matures.
Common Questions
How is blue fescue used in the landscape?
Blue fescue is commonly used for borders, edging plants, mass planting for ground cover, or in containers.
Do I need to prune back my fescue plants?
Yes, pruning back your plants in late winter will extend the life of your plants and maintain a neater appearance.
What are some recommended companion plants for blue fescue?
Flowers such as echinacea, lady’s mantle, lambs ear look great with blue fescue. Also adding other ornamental grasses such as fountain grass and Mexican feather grass creates a nice combination for the flower beds.
