How Tall Does Blue Festuca Grass Get?

Height and Description

• Blue fescue is a clumping, bunch-type grass with wiry, bluish-gray foliage. The grass has a mature height of 6 to 12 inches with an equal spread. The flowers bloom during summer in the form of flat spikelets on tall stems that stand above the cushionlike foliage mound. The foliage is about 12 inches long and covered with a fine bluish powderlike growth that is easily rubbed off. Leaves have an arching growth habit. Blue festuca does not spread with runners.

Varieties

• Blue festuca grass has numerous cultivars. These include Blaufink, or Blue Finch, a dwarf variety that only grows 6 inches tall and has dull, blue foliage. Blaufuchs, or Blue Fox, is prized for its steel-blue, bright color while Blauglut, or Blue Glow, stands out with its distinct, bluish-gray color. Daeumling, or Tom Thumb, is another dwarf variety with a mature height of only 4 inches.

Cultural Conditions

• Blue festuca is native to Europe and grows best in regions with dry and cool summers; it has little tolerance for wet and hot summer conditions. Plant in an area of full sun or partial sun in very hot regions. The grass has high tolerance for drought and thrives in a well-drained, dry, sandy soil. Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, blue festuca is easily propagated by seed or division. Divide plants every two to three years to maintain plant health.

Uses

• The small size of the grass makes it well suited for used as a border or edging for perennial beds. Plant close together and in a line to create borders. Blue festuca also works well as a ground cover when planted in masses. Divide frequently when growing as a ground cover to keep the center areas from dying. The grass is salt tolerant and hence a good choice for coastal gardens. The compact form blends in with other plants in rock and cactus gardens.