Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’, commonly known as Blue Fescue, is a compact, clump-forming ornamental grass prized for its powdery blue foliage, tidy growth habit, and drought tolerance. This cool-season, non-native grass forms neat mounds about 8 to 12 inches tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for edging, rock gardens, and mass plantings in full sun. In early summer, it sends up slender tan flower stalks that add vertical texture and movement. Low-maintenance and deer resistant, ‘Elijah Blue’ thrives in dry, well-drained soils and brings year-round color to sunny gardens.

Why choose ‘Elijah Blue’ Blue Fescue:

• Striking color: Silvery-blue foliage offers contrast in sunny landscapes

• Compact and neat: Ideal for edging, rock gardens, or mass planting

• Drought tolerant: Requires minimal water once established

Cultivating tips:

• Sun exposure: Requires full sun for best color and compact growth

• Soil needs: Well-drained soil is essential; avoid heavy or soggy soils

• Maintenance: Shear back in early spring to refresh foliage; divide every few years

Designs for your garden:

• Rock gardens: Perfect for sunny, dry sites with good drainage

• Border edging: Adds definition and color to walkways and planting beds

• Contrast planting: Pairs well with bold perennials or warm-colored foliage

Ecological considerations:

• Non-native species: Offers limited habitat or food value for native wildlife

• Best with natives: Combine with native grasses and perennials for ecological support

• Low impact: Well-behaved and non-invasive in managed settings

Looking for native alternatives?

Schizachyrium scoparium – Little Bluestem: A native bunchgrass with blue-green summer foliage and striking bronze-red fall color.
Sporobolus heterolepis – Prairie Dropseed: A fine-textured native grass forming graceful mounds with fragrant, airy flower sprays.
Carex stricta – Tussock Sedge: A clump-forming native sedge that thrives in moist soils and provides fine-textured foliage similar to ornamental grasses.