Festuca glauca Elijah Blue

Elijah's Blue Fescue

Festuca glauca ‘Boulder Blue’ — commonly called Blue Fescue — is a compact, evergreen to semi-evergreen ornamental grass (perennial) valued for its intense blue foliage and tidy, mounded form. It forms dense, spiky clumps of fine-textured, silvery-blue blades that provide year-round color in milder climates. In late spring to early summer, it produces airy, tan flower spikes that rise just above the foliage, adding light texture and movement.

Mature Size:
Width: 10–14 in
Height: 10–14 in (to 18–24 in in bloom)

USDA Zones: 4a–8b
Light: Full sun (best color in full sun)
Soil: Well-drained soils; prefers lean, sandy conditions
Water: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established

Wildlife: Generally not favored by deer

Features & Landscape Uses:
Form: Dense, clumping grass with a neat, mounded habit
Intense blue foliage provides strong color contrast
Excellent for edging, borders, rock gardens, and containers
Adds fine texture and structure to plantings
Works well in mass plantings or as an accent

Maintenance:
Comb or lightly trim in early spring to remove old foliage
Divide every few years to maintain vigor
Avoid overly wet or heavy soils

Plant type

Ornamental Grass

Height

10-14"

Width

10-14"

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Summer, Summer

Leaf color

Blue Green

Fall color

Blue Green

Soil

Normal, Well Drained

Landscape use

Border, Container, Hedge, Mass Planting

Shape

Clumping, Compact

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No