Blue fescue (Festuca ovina glauca) also known as sheep fescue is a handsome plant that has taken the fancy of gardeners everywhere for pattern plantings. It is a drought-resistant, hardy grass from the Western plains, and will grow anywhere in the country except where it is watered too often or where the soil is heavy and compact.
In late spring or early summer when it starts going to seed, give the plants a close haircut. Either hedge shears or pruning shears may be used, or they may be mowed with a rotary mower if you have a large number of plants. After cutting the plants should be fertilized heavily and watered thoroughly.
Purchasing Blue Fescue
Blue fescue may be purchased as small plants in flats and set out or you may get a few larger plants grown in containers. When the plants increase in size they should be divided every year. Set plants or divisions a foot apart. The light blue-gray mounds are a striking contrast against dark evergreens or white or gray pebble mulches. The tufts hold their color well through the winter.
44659 by RE Atkinson