Festuca, Blue Fescue 'Elijah Blue'

Festucaglauca

Family
Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Festuca (fes-TOO-kuh)
Species
glauca (GLAW-kuh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Midland City, Alabama

Pelham, Alabama

Anchorage, Alaska

Big Bear Lake, California

Castro Valley, California

Fallbrook, California(5 reports)

Oak View, California

San Diego, California

Vacaville, California

Weston, Colorado

Harrington, Delaware

Wilmington, Delaware

Gainesville, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Athens, Georgia

Decatur, Georgia

Winterville, Georgia

Cherry Valley, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Hampton, Illinois

Mattoon, Illinois

Mount Prospect, Illinois

Alexandria, Indiana

Davenport, Iowa

Storm Lake, Iowa

Ewing, Kentucky

Hanson, Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky

Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Garden City, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Las Vegas, Nevada

Dover, New Hampshire

Franklin, New Hampshire

Fabius, New York

West Islip, New York

Boone, North Carolina

Candler, North Carolina

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Sanford, North Carolina

Belfield, North Dakota

Franklin, Ohio

Glouster, Ohio

Uniontown, Ohio

Warren, Ohio

Corvallis, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Cranston, Rhode Island

Sumter, South Carolina

Swansea, South Carolina

Birchwood, Tennessee

Austin, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Farmington, Utah

Newport News, Virginia

Norfolk, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia

Temperanceville, Virginia

Bellevue, Washington

East Port Orchard, Washington

Kirkland, Washington

Parkwood, Washington

Port Angeles, Washington

Port Angeles East, Washington

Port Orchard, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Spokane, Washington

Stanwood, Washington

Birchwood, Wisconsin

Muscoda, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

7
positives
2
neutrals
1
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
L
GTA, ON (Zone 4b) | March 2022 | positive

A wonderful plant! In my Canadian zone 5b (USDA ~4b) garden, with morning sun it's a striking cool blue through the growing season and a ...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | October 2015 | negative

Blue fescues look great in the nursery, but rarely look good for long in the landscape here (Boston Z6a). This is a short-lived cool-seas...Read More

M
Roscoe, IL | June 2011 | neutral

Is Ellijah blue fescue safe to plant near horse paddocks?

D
D
Austin, TX | August 2009 | neutral

I grew a handful of these pretty little grasses from seed this spring. Unfortunately for me I did not read the reviews posted stating tha...Read More

C
Alexandria, IN (Zone 5a) | January 2009 | positive

Purchased some seed last year from a local grocery chain. All I wanted was for the kids to have a plant they could tend. I loved it so mu...Read More

J
Port Orchard, WA | December 2007 | positive

Elijah Blue Fescue is such a talented ornamental grass that it is already widely used in commercial and residential plantings.
...Read More

O
Oak View, CA | August 2007 | positive

We have had this plant growing in many areas in our yard as a nice contrasting touch in the landscape. It is a great plant -- very hardy...Read More

G
Hampton, IL (Zone 5a) | May 2005 | positive

Elijah Blue fescue is a great ornamental grass and I love the way it looks in the snow. It stays green even in the winter here in my zon...Read More

J
Muscoda, WI (Zone 4b) | July 2004 | positive

I bought Elijah Blue for my borders this spring. It's a beautiful plant and I intend to add more. The only problem I have with it is .....Read More

T
Warren, OH | July 2004 | positive

This blue ornamental grass is beautiful. It likes well drained soil (I just planted mine w/sand and rocks) and brightens up the flower be...Read More

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