Species

Festuca glaucaBlue Fescue

5 other cultivars

grass

Blue fescue

Festuca glauca 'Zwergenkönig'

The Story

Plant Bio

Festuca glauca, commonly known as blue fescue, is a small, densely mounded evergreen ornamental grass native to southwestern and central Europe. The species forms neat, hemispherical cushions of fine, needle-like foliage and produces small, insignificant green-to-purple flower panicles in early summer that mature into tan seed heads.

'Zwergenkönig' is an extra-dwarf, ultra-compact selection that reaches only four inches in height and six inches in width. Its stiff, needle-like leaves maintain an intense blue-gray to blue-green coloration throughout the entire year.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a highly structured, ultra-compact blue-gray accent with a neat hemispherical profile suitable for rockeries and borders.

Highly drought-tolerant once established and tolerates light winter salt spray in urban environments.

Offers minor cover for small ground-dwelling insects and invertebrates.

SpeciesFestuca glaucaBlue Fescue

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

Width

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to Moderate

Lifespan

Short-lived perennial

Native To

Southwestern and central Europe

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Early summer – Midsummer

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun receiving at least six hours of direct daily light to ensure the foliage retains its intense blue coloration.
Incorporate grit or sand into the planting area to guarantee high drainage, as the roots are highly intolerant of waterlogged or heavy clay soils.
Space the small plugs or container specimens six inches apart to allow the individual hemispherical mounds to develop without crowding.
Water moderately during the first season to establish the root system, then reduce watering to rely primarily on natural rainfall.

Pro Tip

Divide the clumps strictly every two to three years and provide exceptionally sharp drainage; this cultivar is a short-lived perennial that quickly dies out in the center if left undivided or subjected to wet, heavy soils.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Divide the clumps every two to three years in early spring to prevent central die-out.
Grow in full sun to maintain the signature blue-gray foliage color.
Provide gritty, well-drained soil with a neutral pH.

Don't

Do not plant in wet, heavy, or poorly drained soils where root rot can develop.
Do not cut back into the old, leafless woody crown tissue when cleaning up the plant.
Do not over-fertilize, as this grass thrives in poor to moderately fertile soils.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensBorder edgingMass plantingsContainer specimensUrban gardens

Companion Plants

Sedum Thymus Lavandula Sempervivum

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Blue fescue questions

What zones can Blue fescue grow in?

Blue fescue 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 Blue fescue deer resistant?

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

When does Blue fescue bloom?

Blue fescue typically blooms in early summer through midsummer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Blue fescue need full sun?

Blue fescue does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Blue fescue drought tolerant?

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