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Lavender companion · grow guide
Blue Fescue · Festuca glauca
Blue fescue needs full sun and lean, dry, well-drained soil. It's a small, short-lived clump that looks best when divided every few years.
Check my zone & planting dates
Full sunLight
Low waterFast drainage
pH 5.5–7.5Soil
Zones 4a–8bHardiness
12″ tall28″ wide
Some resistanceDeer · rabbits some resistance
Not known toxicPets
Huckleberry saysTell me where you grow and I’ll check if Blue Whiskers will thrive there.
Hardy in zones 4a–8b
Spring or early fall.
Your year with Blue Whiskers
When it arrives
Plugs are small and dry out fast. Water on arrival, keep in bright light, and harden off a week before planting. Plant 72-cell plugs directly into gritty soil once rooted, or pot into 3-4 in pots. Water lightly; plugs rot if kept soggy.
Spring or early fall.
Set the crown at soil level; don't bury the base of the clump.
8-12 in apart.
Sandy, gravelly, or average soil · pH 5.5–7.5
Fix-it tip: It will not tolerate wet, poorly drained soil. In clay, mix in grit and plant on a mound. Skip compost and fertilizer.
Full sun (tolerates part shade).
Best blue color in full sun; shade makes it greener and floppy.
Don’t give up on it
Evergreen, but winter often leaves brown tips. In early spring, comb out dead blades with your fingers; fresh blue growth appears from the base by mid spring.
Comb out dead blades; divide old clumps.
Remove spent flower stalks if desired.
Leave as is.
Keep crowns out of standing water.
First season: Water when the top inch dries for the first month or two.
After that: Drought tolerant; water only in long dry spells.
None needed.
Comb out dead blades in spring. Remove flower stalks after they brown if you prefer a neat clump.
Every 2-3 years; clumps tend to die out in the center. Divide in spring and replant healthy outer pieces.
Hardy to zone 4. Good drainage is the key; wet winter soil rots it.
May brown and decline in hot, humid summers.
Dead brown centerLikely cause: Normal aging of the clump
What to do: Divide in spring; replant the healthy outer sections.
Whole clump browns in summerLikely cause: Heat and humidity or wet soil
What to do: Improve drainage; trim browned blades and wait for cooler weather.
Grazed bladesLikely cause: Deer or rabbits
What to do: Use repellent or fencing until plants establish.
Brown, rotting center and soft base mean too wet. A totally straw-colored clump in drought means it needs a soak.
Not listed by ASPCA; no known toxicity reported. Discourage pets from chewing any garden plant.
Deer: somewhat resistant · Rabbits: somewhat resistant
Finnegan saysStill not sure what’s wrong? Ask Plant Health — describe it or add a photo.
Good in pots · 1 gallon+
Great in pots and troughs with gritty mix. Make sure the pot drains well.
Outdoor plant
Needs full sun and winter cold.
No chill needed
Grown for foliage; flowering is incidental.
Plugs from the tray
3–4 inch pots for 3–5 weeks, until roots hold the soil
Garden bed or a 1 gallon potTime to move up? Slide the plant out: if white roots wrap the outside of the soil, it’s ready for the next size.
Planting with lavender
Plant it right alongside lavender
Same sun and dry, lean soil. Its blue tufts echo lavender's gray foliage and make a tidy edging for the lavender bed.
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