Festuca 'Blue Select'

Festuca glauca 'Blue Select': A Crisp Accent in Sky-Toned Steel

Neat, compact, and intensely coloured, Festuca 'Blue Select' is a refined blue fescue that holds its steely blue foliage with remarkable consistency. Its narrow, spiky blades form a tight, spherical mound that brings a cool, sculptural note to hot, dry plantings. In early summer, slender tan flower stems rise just above the foliage, offering a delicate contrast without interrupting its tidy form. This drought-tolerant grass is all about contrast—bringing clarity and balance to warm, sun-soaked designs.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–30 cm in bloom
• Spread: 25–35 cm, forming a compact, rounded clump
• Flower Colour: Tan
• Flowering Period: Early to midsummer
• Foliage: Fine, needle-like blue-grey blades; semi-evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, moderately dry to average soil

Uses and Benefits: 'Blue Select' is ideal for edging, massing in gravel gardens, or creating repetition in drought-tolerant designs. Its refined mound offers a cooling contrast to brightly coloured perennials and bold textures, while its compact size fits easily into small spaces or modern compositions. Deer resistant and low maintenance, it performs best in sunny, open sites with lean soil and good air flow.

Companion Plants: Surround Festuca 'Blue Select' with the fiery blooms of Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun', the golden daisies of Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise', and the warm, fleshy flower heads of Sedum 'Autumn Joy'. This combination balances cool foliage with saturated colour for a vibrant, sun-loving display that evolves beautifully into fall.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with excellent drainage. Avoid heavy or wet soils. In early spring, comb out dead foliage and trim lightly to maintain shape. Divide every 2–3 years to keep clumps dense and remove any dead centres that may form over time.

History: A selected form of Festuca glauca, 'Blue Select' was chosen for its consistent colour and compact habit. As part of a long lineage of ornamental fescues, it offers improved reliability and clarity in tough, sun-exposed settings.

Final Thoughts: With its powder-blue hue and tidy dome, 'Blue Select' brings structure and serenity to the summer garden. It’s a compact classic—clean-lined, cool to the touch, and beautifully resilient.