Festuca 'Boulder Blue'

Festuca glauca 'Boulder Blue': A Polished Accent in Icy Steel

Tightly mounded and strikingly blue, Festuca 'Boulder Blue' is a standout among ornamental fescues for its intense colour and durable form. Its fine, needle-like blades hold a saturated, silvery-blue tone through heat and sun, maintaining their clarity well into late season. Compact and symmetrical, it creates a strong visual anchor in rock gardens, border edges, or sun-drenched containers. Light tan flower stalks emerge in early summer, rising delicately above the foliage without disturbing its clean lines.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–30 cm in bloom
• Spread: 30–40 cm, forming a dense, rounded clump
• Flower Colour: Light tan
• Flowering Period: Early to midsummer
• Foliage: Intensely blue, fine-textured blades; semi-evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or average soils; drought tolerant

Uses and Benefits: 'Boulder Blue' is perfect for dry borders, gravel gardens, alpine plantings, or repeating in modern, geometric layouts. Its strong colour and compact form create a cool contrast to bold flowers and succulent textures. Easy to grow and deer resistant, it thrives in hot, sunny spots where other grasses may fade. Low maintenance and reliable, it adds year-round texture and colour with minimal input.

Companion Plants: Contrast the icy tones of Festuca 'Boulder Blue' with the ruby-red foliage of Sedum 'Dragon's Blood', the airy lemon blooms of Coreopsis 'Moonbeam', and the warm golden tones of Gaillardia 'Mesa Yellow'. This drought-tolerant mix offers bold colour play and fine textural balance from summer into fall.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and sharply drained soil. Avoid overly rich or wet conditions. Comb out dead foliage in early spring to keep the mound looking fresh. Divide every 2–3 years in spring to maintain shape and density, and to remove any browning centres that may develop.

History: Selected for its vivid colour and compact growth, 'Boulder Blue' is a cultivated form of Festuca glauca, a species native to Europe. It has become a favourite in drought-tolerant and low-maintenance landscapes for its versatility and visual impact.

Final Thoughts: With its cool hue and sculptural habit, 'Boulder Blue' brings polish and calm to the high-summer garden. It’s a small grass with strong presence—elegant, tough, and always crisp.