Festuca 'Blue Select'

Festuca glauca 'Blue Select': The Sapphire Accent of the Garden

Festuca glauca 'Blue Select', with its vibrant tufts of steel-blue foliage, introduces a sapphire accent to the garden, evoking the cool serenity of a tranquil sea. This ornamental grass, celebrated for its compact form and striking color, crafts a visual harmony that enhances garden designs with a touch of refined elegance and texture. Ideal for those aiming to infuse their outdoor spaces with a splash of color and a dose of contemporary flair, 'Blue Select' thrives in full sun, establishing itself as a captivating ground cover in rock gardens, an eye-catching border along pathways, and as a stunning accent in mixed perennial beds throughout the year.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: 'Blue Select' reaches a modest height of 20-30 cm, perfect for creating a subtle yet impactful layer of color and texture within the garden landscape.
• Spread: It establishes a spread of 20-30 cm, with its dense, mounding growth habit forming an attractive and cohesive presence that integrates beautifully with other garden elements.
• Foliage Colour: The foliage is a deep, steel-blue, offering year-round interest and a vibrant contrast that captures the essence of cool, serene beauty.
• Sunlight Requirements: Prefers full sun, flourishing in the light that nurtures its growth and accentuates the vividness of its blue foliage.
• Soil Requirements: Thrives in well-drained soil, demonstrating remarkable drought tolerance and adaptability to a range of soil types, underscoring its low maintenance and resilience.

Uses and Benefits: Festuca glauca 'Blue Select' is more than just an ornamental grass; it's a sculptural element that adds depth and character to the garden. Its striking blue foliage and adaptable growth make it an exceptional choice for rock gardens, edging for pathways, or as an accent in mixed beds. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it serves as an important ground cover that helps to prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and maintain soil moisture, contributing to the garden's overall health and beauty.

Companion Plants: Enhance the Sapphire Accent of 'Blue Select' with the bright yellows of Sedum 'Angelina', the delicate pinks of Dianthus, and the lush greens of Heuchera. This combination creates a dynamic and textured display, blending colors and forms to achieve a garden that is visually engaging, harmonious, and rich in contemporary beauty.

Care Instructions: Festuca glauca 'Blue Select' is a jewel in the garden, requiring minimal care to maintain its striking display. It benefits from occasional watering during extended dry periods and appreciates an application of mulch in spring to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Division in spring or autumn can rejuvenate older clumps and help propagate the sapphire beauty of 'Blue Select' throughout the garden.

History: As a cultivar of Festuca glauca, 'Blue Select' is prized for its enhanced steel-blue foliage and compact growth habit, making it a favored choice for gardeners seeking to add a modern touch and vibrant color to their landscapes. It embodies the ornamental appeal and ecological benefits of grasses, enhancing landscapes with its presence and versatility.

Final Thoughts: Festuca glauca 'Blue Select' invites gardeners to bask in the sapphire accent of the garden, offering a display of steel-blue foliage that serves as a testament to nature's beauty and the art of garden design. This Blue Fescue, with its compact form and captivating color, serves as an indispensable addition for those seeking to create a garden retreat that is visually stunning, low maintenance, and resonant with the essence of modern elegance. Whether used to accentuate rock gardens, define pathways, or enrich mixed perennial arrangements, 'Blue Select' promises to be a cherished feature, blooming with the spirit and enduring grace of the garden.