Festuca 'Beyond Blue'

Festuca glauca 'Beyond Blue': A Brighter Shade of Cool

Tightly mounded and intensely coloured, Festuca 'Beyond Blue' offers a luminous, powdery blue that holds its clarity through summer heat better than most fescues. Its fine, needle-like foliage forms a dense, dome-shaped clump with a tidy, architectural feel. Small, tan flower spikes rise slightly above the foliage in early summer, adding subtle texture without disrupting its clean form. Ideal for edging, rock gardens, or sun-drenched borders, this cool-season grass brings both structure and a refreshing pop of colour.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–30 cm in bloom
• Spread: 30–40 cm, forming a compact mound
• Flower Colour: Soft tan
• Flowering Period: Early to midsummer
• Foliage: Silvery blue, fine-textured and semi-evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, moderately dry to average soil

Uses and Benefits: 'Beyond Blue' is a refined choice for massing in hot, dry borders, softening the edges of paths, or adding year-round interest to xeriscapes and gravel gardens. Its low, uniform habit makes it especially useful in modern designs, while its bold colouring complements warm-toned flowers and silver-leaved companions. Drought tolerant, deer resistant, and low maintenance, it’s a true performer in tough sites.

Companion Plants: Pair Festuca 'Beyond Blue' with the chartreuse foliage of Sedum 'Angelina', the golden daisies of Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise', and the red-tipped petals of Gaillardia 'Goblin'. This sunny, drought-tolerant trio plays colour against contrast, adding rhythm and brightness to the summer border.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with excellent drainage. Avoid rich or wet soils, which can lead to dieback. Trim old foliage in early spring to refresh the mound. Divide every few years to maintain shape and vigour; remove any brown interior growth as needed.

History: 'Beyond Blue' is an improved cultivar of Festuca glauca, bred for its stronger colour retention and heat tolerance. Building on the legacy of blue fescues in ornamental horticulture, it combines classic appeal with modern durability.

Final Thoughts: With its intense blue foliage and crisp form, 'Beyond Blue' offers a fresh take on a classic grass. It’s a compact powerhouse—cool, clean, and built to brighten the sunniest corners of the garden.