grass

Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock

Festuca actae 'Banks Peninsula Blue'

The Story

Plant Bio

Festuca actae, native to the Banks Peninsula of New Zealand, is a hardy, evergreen tussock grass forming dense, finely textured mounds. The species is highly adapted to coastal winds, poor soils, and cold temperatures down to USDA zone 4.

'Banks Peninsula Blue' is distinguished by its intense, silvery-blue glaucous foliage that retains its cool coloration throughout the growing season. In spring and summer, airy, straw-colored flower panicles rise on slender stems well above the blue foliage mound.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides striking, year-round silvery-blue color and fine texture in rockeries and borders.

Excellent for erosion control on dry, sunny slopes and requires minimal water once established.

Offers structural shelter and micro-habitats for small ground-dwelling beneficial insects.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

16"

Width

20"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

New Zealand

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to light shade with exceptionally well-drained, lean soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant so the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Backfill with native soil, avoiding any rich organic composts or heavy fertilizers that promote weak growth.
Water sparingly during the first season to establish the roots, then rely entirely on natural rainfall.

Pro Tip

Comb through the foliage with gloved hands in late winter to remove dead blades; cutting this evergreen grass back to the ground like a deciduous species can kill the crown.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in sharply draining sandy or mineral-rich soils.
Comb out dead foliage manually using gloved hands.
Provide full sun to maintain the intense blue foliage color.

Don't

Do not shear the plant back hard into old wood.
Do not overwater or plant in heavy clay soils that retain moisture.
Do not apply heavy fertilizers, which cause weak, floppy growth.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Pest Check
Spring Cleanup
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensBorder edgingsMass plantingsCoastal gardensXeriscaping

Companion Plants

Sedum Thymus Lavandula

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock questions

What zones can Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock grow in?

Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock bloom?

Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock need full sun?

Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Banks Peninsula Blue Tussock handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.