Product Description
Festuca glauca 'Blue Whiskers' PP29200 (30)ct Flat
Common Name: Ornamental Grass, Blue Fescue
When it comes to ornamental grasses, Blue Fescue has long been a popular choice due to its diminutive size and interesting texture. Compared to classic variety ‘Elijah Blue’, ‘Blue Whiskers’ is a taller, more vigorous variety, with longer leaves and a brighter blue foliage color. The finely textured, bright silvery blue leaves form a fully rounded, robust clump with consistent flower coverage across the habit. Yellow-green flowers appear above the clump on 18-22” scapes in early summer and age to tan as the season progresses.
The Festuca genus is at its best when given full sun and well-drained soil. Afternoon shade is recommended, however, in the warmest regions of the country. Festucas are valued for their clumping habit and are proven performers in areas with cooler climates. In mild areas they act evergreen, but in cooler areas they should be trimmed back almost to the base either before the onset of winter or in early spring.
If division is required, it is best performed in the spring so the divisions have time to root in before the onset of winter.
Height: 10.0-12.0 Inches
Spread: 24.0-28.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: Tan shades
Foliage Color: Blue shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low Water Needs
Poor Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer - Midsummer
Deer Resistant
Seasonal Interest: Fall Color
Evergreen
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Edging, Attractive Foliage, Salt Tolerant, Small, Miniature
Festuca g. 'Blue Whiskers', an ornamental grass prized for its captivating silvery-blue foliage. Information was gathered from various online sources, including gardening websites and plant retailers, to provide detailed insights into this improved variety of the classic 'Elijah Blue' fescue.
Festuca g. 'Blue Whiskers' typically grows to be 10-12 inches tall and 24-28 inches wide. It exhibits a medium growth rate, quickly establishing itself in the garden. The foliage is finely textured and boasts a silvery sheen, adding a touch of elegance to any landscape. In early summer, yellow-green flowers emerge on 18-22 inch scapes, gracefully swaying above the foliage. As the season progresses, these flowers mature to a warm tan hue, providing continued visual interest. This cultivar is also salt-tolerant, making it a suitable choice for coastal gardens.
Care and Maintenance Festuca g. 'Blue Whiskers' is a low-maintenance and waterwise plant that thrives in a variety of conditions. It prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil.
Here are some key care tips:
- Watering: While drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from supplemental watering during the initial growing phase. Occasional irrigation may be necessary during extended dry periods.
- Pruning: In late winter to early spring, trim the plant back to 3-4 inches above ground to remove old foliage and encourage fresh growth.
- Division: Older plants may require division every 2-3 years to rejuvenate them, as the center of the clump can sometimes die out. Divide each plant in the springtime by digging up and cutting out the center. Cut the living pieces into 2 or 3 smaller tufts and replant, ensuring thorough watering until established.
- Tolerance: This hardy plant is tolerant of deer, rabbits, pollution, wind, and salt.
Hardiness Zones Festuca g. 'Blue Whiskers' is hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
Uses in the Landscape Festuca g. 'Blue Whiskers' is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways in the landscape. Its striking blue foliage provides a beautiful contrast to other plants, making it an excellent choice for borders, rock gardens, and containers. It can also be used as a ground cover when planted en masse, creating a sea of blue that adds texture and depth to the garden.
Some design ideas include:
- Edging: Use it to define pathways or create soft edges in garden beds.
- Rock Gardens: Its drought tolerance and low-growing habit make it ideal for rock gardens.
- Containers: Its compact size makes it perfect for container gardening, adding a touch of blue to patios and balconies.
- Color Contrasts: Combine it with plants that have contrasting colors, such as yellow yarrow or red sedum, to create a vibrant display.
| Companion Plant | Description/Benefits |
| Other ornamental grasses | Creates a dynamic textural effect |
| Sedum | Provides contrasting colors and forms |
| Lewisia | Adds vibrant pops of color |
| Nepeta (Catmint) | Attracts pollinators and complements the blue hues |
| Compact Lavenders | Enhances the color scheme and adds fragrance |
Festuca g. 'Blue Whiskers' is an outstanding ornamental grass that offers both beauty and practicality. Its silvery-blue foliage, compact size, and low-maintenance nature make it a versatile choice for various landscape applications. Whether used as an accent plant, in borders, or as a ground cover, 'Blue Whiskers' adds a touch of sophistication and texture to any garden. Its hardiness, drought tolerance, and resistance to pests and diseases make it a reliable and rewarding addition for gardeners of all levels of experience.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
