Intermediate
skill rating
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Festuca longifolia (Blue fescue)
12 hours care
per year
per year
0.45m
Max height
Max height
0.3m
Max spread
Max spread
1-3 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Festuca longifolia
Other names
Blue fescue, Hard fescue, Festuca glauca 'Pallens'
Genus
Festuca Festuca
Species
F. longifolia - F. longifolia is a dense, clump-forming, cool-season, evergreen perennial grass, often used as a turfgrass, forming bunches of linear, grey- to blue-green leaves. Narrow panicles of green flower spikelets bloom in summer.
Festuca longifolia is: Evergreen
Flower
Green in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Ants , Birds , Chafer grubs in lawns , Dog urine , Leather jackets (European crane fly) , Moles , Worm casts on lawns Ants , Birds , Chafer grubs in lawns , Dog urine , Leather jackets (European crane fly) , Moles , Worm casts on lawns
Algae in grass , Dollar spot , Lichen in grass , Ophiobolus patch , Red thread (Corticium disease) , Snow mould (fusarium patch) , Toadstools and fairy rings Algae in grass , Dollar spot , Lichen in grass , Ophiobolus patch , Red thread (Corticium disease) , Snow mould (fusarium patch) , Toadstools and fairy rings
General care
Pruning
If growing as a turfgrass, mow to a height of 6-10cm.
Propagation
Does not spread by underground rhizomes so reseed to repair damaged areas. Best sewn in situ in early autumn. Can be sown in early to mid-spring. If grown as an ornamental, divide every 2-3 years in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Festuca longifolia (Blue fescue) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.3m after 1-3 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Lawn
Cultivation
Slow to establish, but will form a dense turf with regular mowing. Grows in most soils, but prefers moist but well-drained soil. Tolerates drought, partial shade, and a wide range of soil conditions. Suitable for stabilising unmown banks and slopes.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Festuca longifolia
Other names
Blue fescue, Hard fescue, Festuca glauca 'Pallens'
Genus
Festuca Festuca
Species
F. longifolia - F. longifolia is a dense, clump-forming, cool-season, evergreen perennial grass, often used as a turfgrass, forming bunches of linear, grey- to blue-green leaves. Narrow panicles of green flower spikelets bloom in summer.
Native to
Great Britain, Ireland
Foliage
Evergreen
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Colour
Flower
Green in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Ants , Birds , Chafer grubs in lawns , Dog urine , Leather jackets (European crane fly) , Moles , Worm casts on lawns
Specific diseases
Algae in grass , Dollar spot , Lichen in grass , Ophiobolus patch , Red thread (Corticium disease) , Snow mould (fusarium patch) , Toadstools and fairy rings
General care
Pruning
If growing as a turfgrass, mow to a height of 6-10cm.
Propagation
Does not spread by underground rhizomes so reseed to repair damaged areas. Best sewn in situ in early autumn. Can be sown in early to mid-spring. If grown as an ornamental, divide every 2-3 years in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Festuca longifolia (Blue fescue) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.3m after 1-3 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Lawn
Cultivation
Slow to establish, but will form a dense turf with regular mowing. Grows in most soils, but prefers moist but well-drained soil. Tolerates drought, partial shade, and a wide range of soil conditions. Suitable for stabilising unmown banks and slopes.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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