Where does blue fescue grow best?
Planting Location Blue fescue grows best in full sun, preferring moist, well-drained soil. With the ability to be grown in USDA zones 4-9. Blue Fescue is a versatile plant with the ability to tolerate a wide range of conditions. However, The blue color will not fully develop in partial shade. Caring for Elijah Blue Fescue Grass involves ensuring well-drained soil and full sun. Prune dead foliage in early spring to promote vibrant blue growth and keep it tidy.If your summers are hot and dry, you want to keep this plant watered on a regular basis. This ornamental fescue is one of the toughest grasses on the market. This drought-tolerant ornamental grass grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8, and you want to plant this blue fescue in well-draining soil.Blue fescue grows best in full sun and requires well-drained soil. The blue color will not develop as well in partial shade, however. It can be short-lived in wet soils, heavy clay, and in areas with high humidity and temperatures.Common Name: Blue Fescue, Ornamental Grass One of the more durable and longer-lived varieties, ‘Elijah Blue’ is a small, clumping grass with a rounded habit.
How do you winterize blue fescue?
In mild zones (4-10), fescue grass can be left in the ground during winter. If freezing weather threatens, protect the roots by mounding a layer of shredded bark, compost, leaves, straw or other organic material around the base of each plant. Fescue is a cool season grass, which means it grows best in the spring and the fall. Because it is low maintenance and stays green all year, it is a good option in the transition zone. Fescue does need to be reseeded yearly because it does not germinate itself, though.Turf-type tall fescue is a clump-forming perennial grass with deep roots. Its roots can reach up to 2-3 feet deep in the soil, which allows it to access water and nutrients that shallow-rooted grasses cannot. This makes it much more drought-tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass, which has shallow roots.Dormancy: Fescue grass has the ability to go dormant during extended periods of drought. Dormancy is a survival mechanism where the grass stops growing and turns brown to conserve water and energy. While the grass may appear dead, it is actually alive and can recover once favorable growing conditions return.
Is blue fescue a ground cover?
Blue fescue is a low-growing ground cover that reaches about 1 foot in height and width. This ornamental grass is best known for its striking blue leaves that are tall and thin. They grow outwards from the center, forming clumps. Elijah Blue Fescue will grow to be about 10 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years.
What’s the best month to plant fescue?
Spring Planting of Tall Fescue Optimal spring planting times vary by location. In transition zone lawns, ideal conditions may arrive in March. Farther north, favorable conditions may wait until April or even early May. In most of tall fescue’s growing range, the landscape provides timing clues. Despite its long history as reliable forage for farm animals, tall fescue has an ugly, dark side. Most tall fescue is infected with a fungus living within the plant, which is referred to as an endophyte.While it has good shade and drought tolerance, Tall Fescue has some significant drawbacks, including its susceptibility to pests and disease and a coarse clumping habit which is not ideal for backyards.
What can I plant next to blue fescue?
A Terrific Duo to Try: Achillea and Festuca. This full-sun border pairs blue fescue (Festuca glauca), a compact ornamental grass, with yarrow (Achillea millefolium), a hardy flowering perennial. Blue mounds provide year-round texture while yarrow blooms in summer, often repeating with deadheading. Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ This is a densely tufted, evergreen perennial grass with upright, silvery blue-green leaves. Bears wheat-golden seedheads in May through June. Extremely drought and heat tolerant.