Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Blue Whiskers Blue Fescue: Silver-Blue Tufts to Edge a Lavender Bed
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Blue Whiskers blue fescue is a vigorous ornamental grass with long, needle-fine leaves in a bright, silvery blue. It grows into a dense, rounded tuft about a foot tall that looks a little like a friendly blue porcupine, and it keeps that color through the year.
Few plants are happier in the same conditions as lavender. Sun, heat, poor soil and dry spells are exactly what it wants, which makes it one of the easiest front-row partners you can choose.
Blue Whiskers at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Festuca glauca 'Blue Whiskers' |
| Foliage | Bright silvery blue, very fine, held all season |
| Flowers | Yellow-green heads on 18- to 22-inch stems, ripening to tan |
| Size | 10 to 12 inches tall, 24 to 28 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-June |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade; best color in sun |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
How to use it with lavender
Lavender's silver-gray leaves and Blue Whiskers' icy blue tufts sit in the same cool color range, so the pairing looks calm and deliberate. The difference is texture: fescue is all fine needles in a ball, while lavender is a woody mound of spikes. Run a line of fescue along a path or the front lip of a raised bed and let the lavender rise behind it.
It also suits gravel gardens, rock gardens and containers, anywhere lavender would be comfortable. In a pot, pair one lavender with two or three fescues around the rim for a low-water planter.
Plan spacing in the Companion Plant Planner. At up to 28 inches wide, each tuft needs more elbow room than its height suggests.
Planting and care
- Soil: lean and very well drained. Rich soil, wet soil and heavy watering are what make blue fescue die out in the center.
- Water: until established, then only in a long drought.
- Summer: it can slow down in midsummer heat and look its best in spring and fall. That is normal.
- Flower stems: clip them once they turn brown to keep the tuft tidy, or remove them earlier if you prefer the foliage alone.
- Spring cleanup: comb out dead leaves with your fingers or a rake rather than cutting the tuft hard.
- Renewal: divide every few years to keep it vigorous.
Winter in Michigan
Blue Whiskers is hardy here when the soil drains well. Wet winter soil is the main cause of loss, the same thing that threatens lavender, so a site that suits one usually suits the other. Skip heavy mulch around the crown.
Ordering format
Blue Whiskers is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, ideal for edging long beds or growing on in pots. See the product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my blue fescue turn brown in the middle?
Usually too much water, rich soil or poor drainage, especially in humid summers. Lift the clump, divide off the healthy outer pieces and replant them in leaner, sharper-draining soil.
Is it good for bees?
Not especially. Its pollinator value is low, so let the lavender beside it handle the bees.
Can I cut it for arrangements?
It rates poorly for cut and dried use. It is a plant to enjoy in the ground.
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