FESTUCA. Worldwide, in temperate regions. Except for the lawn fescues and the ubiquitous blue fescue, F. cinerea, this group was long ignored for ornamental use. Finally public interest in these and other perennial bunchgrasses seems to be taking off. The following selections make thick hummocks of narrow leaves. Their slender, wand-like flowering stems bear airy sprays of flower and seed heads. Though attractive for border use, they are best appreciated en masse on banks and hillsides, where they can also assist in erosion control. Sun or (for some species) light shade, well drained soil, moderate to no supplemental watering when established. The following should all be hardy to 10oF. or less.
cinerea (F. ovina var. glauca). Blue fescue. Europe, especially Mediterranean region. Long before gardeners developed their current passion for the grasses, blue fescue was used in vast quantities in borders and banks for its bright spots of blue. Recently it has been displaced to some extent by the dozens of other ornamental grasses and sedges now available. However, at the same time, selected forms with particularly desirable features have appeared. These make leafy hummocks 6-12" high. The leaves are narrow and rolled. The flowering stems, rising well above the foliage, are decorative but often not freely produced. Both the stems and the flower clusters often have a blue or silvery cast, changing gradually to pale straw color. ‘Azurit’ is one of the brightest, its leaves chalky blue in summer, darkening in winter. The flowering stems are about 1’ tall. ‘Elijah Blue’ is similar but a little larger, in my experience (not as described in some of the grass books). A recent introduction is ‘Golden Toupee’. It is also quite fine-leaved but most distinguished by the leaf color, which changes gradually from pale yellow (not gold) in the new growth to chartreuse at maturity. Even along the coast it is decidedly happier in light shade. With this exception, the blue fescues are rugged grasses, reveling in full exposure, well drained soil, and moderate to only occasional summer watering. Hardy to 0oF. or less.