University of Vermont Extension
Department of Plant and Soil Science
University of Vermont Extension
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'
(fess-tue' kah glaw' kah)
Common name: Blue Fescue
Family: Poaceae, Grass
Height x width: 8"-12" high x 8" clump
Growth rate: moderate
Foliage: very fine and thin, evergreen, one of most blue cultivars
Flowers: terminal, slender panicles
Hardiness: zones 4-8 (tolerates heat and humidty)
Soil: well-drained, will tolerate dry and infertile
Light: sun
Pests and Problems: rots from too wet soil
Landscape habit, uses: borders, most effective massed, edges to beds and walks, salt tolerant
Other interest: native to Europe; from the Latin festuca for stalk or stem; related to arid fescue cultivars of elatior and lawn fescues of rubra; this cultivar introduced in the 1980's by the late Lois Woodhull of Long Island, and named after Elijah Lane on which her nursery is located
Other culture: often clumps tend to die out in part or become lop-sided; correct by dividing off dead part and replanting living
Propagation: spring division or seed
Sources: many; as always, check with your local garden center or perennial nursery
Return to Perry's Perennial Pages