Product Description
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' (30)ct Flat
Common Name: Blue Fescue.
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' has soft powdery blue, finely-textured, semi-evergreen foliage. In late spring to early summer, light green flowers with a purple tinge appear on terminal panicles, typically bring total clump height to 10 to 14 inches.
Festuca is easily grown in dry to medium, well-drained soil. Tolerant of light shade, the best foliage color is in full sun, however, in southern zones afternoon shade maybe recommended. Cut back foliage in early spring to 3 to 4 inches to foster new growth. Flower stems can be shear off after bloom. This cultivar does not reliably come true from wheat-like seed heads produced on flower stalks. If clumps die out in the center division is required. Divide the spring so the divisions have time to root in before the onset of winter.
International Hardy Plant Union Outstanding Plant Award 1996.
Zones 4 to 8;
Full Sun to part shade.
Mature size 8 to 10 inch height, spreads 8 to 10 inches.
Growth Rate: Moderate; semi-evergreen clumping with a rounded habit,
Easy to grow.
Attributes: border plants, containers, drought tolerant, edging, mass planting, and salt tolerant. Deer resistant. An excellent choice for rock gardens and in containers.
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' is a popular ornamental grass prized for its striking blue foliage and mounding habit. Here is a summary of its key features:
Appearance
- Powder Blue Foliage: 'Elijah Blue' is known for its eye-catching, silvery-blue, needle-like leaves, which form a dense, rounded tuft. The blue color is most intense in the cooler months of spring and fall.
- Subtle Blooms: In summer, it sends up airy plumes of light green flowers with a hint of blue or purple. While the blooms are not the main attraction, they add a delicate touch to the plant.
- Compact Size: This fescue typically grows to about 6-12 inches tall and wide, making it a great choice for smaller spaces or as a border plant.
Growing Conditions
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) for the best color development. It can tolerate some light shade, especially in hot climates.
- Soil: Thrives in well-drained soil. It is tolerant of poor, sandy soils, and dislikes heavy, wet soil.
- Hardiness Zones: Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4-8.
Care
- Low Maintenance: 'Elijah Blue' is a low-maintenance plant.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is very drought tolerant.
- Divide in Spring: To maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding, divide the clumps every 2-3 years in spring.
- Comb Out Dead Foliage: In early spring, you can comb out any dead or brown foliage with your fingers or a rake to tidy up the plant.
Uses
- Borders and Edging: Its compact size and striking color make it ideal for edging walkways or flower beds.
- Rock Gardens: Its drought tolerance and textural contrast make it a good fit for rock gardens.
- Containers: Can be grown in containers to add a touch of blue to patios and balconies.
- Mass Plantings: Creates a beautiful sea of blue when planted in groups.
- Xeriscaping: Its low water requirements make it suitable for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.
Additional Information
- Cool-Season Grass: 'Elijah Blue' is a cool-season grass, meaning it grows most actively in the spring and fall.
- May Brown in Summer: In hot, humid climates, the foliage may brown in the summer. Provide some afternoon shade and ensure good drainage to help prevent this.
- Non-Invasive: This fescue is not considered invasive and stays in a neat clump.
If you are looking for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant with stunning blue foliage, Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' is an excellent choice! It adds a touch of color and texture to any garden and is versatile enough for various landscape applications.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 4.25 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!
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Product Reviews
4 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Elijah Blue
This was my first spring working with Elijah Blue. I was shocked out how blue it is. I am using it with other Carex grasses and the blue really pops out.
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Blue Fescue
The plants were shipped in a very timely manner and all look robust and healthy in well designed pots. I am impressed.
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Elijah Blue grass plugs
Everything arrived very healthy and are in the ground! It was an easy way to order these and plant them. While it is too early to tell if they will survive, I sure hope they do. This is a nice nursery to deal with and I hope to do future business with them
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excellent
These plants arrived perfectly packed and arrived in excellent shape. Each plant is thriving.
