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Family: Fescue
Type: Ornamental Grass
Other Common Name: Festuca ovina var. glauca
Cool as Ice Blue Fescue Grass (Festuca glauca ‘Cool as Ice’) is a striking ornamental grass known for its vibrant, icy blue foliage that adds a cool contrast to any garden setting. This clump-forming perennial is hardy, drought-resistant, and maintains its color year-round, making it a popular choice for adding texture and interest to landscapes. Its low-growing habit and easy care requirements make it an ideal choice for gardeners looking for low-maintenance beauty.
Cool as Ice Blue Fescue thrives in full sun, where its color becomes most pronounced, and its tolerance to poor soil conditions makes it a versatile addition to various garden styles.
Hardiness Zone: 4a-8b
Pet Friendly: Yes
Moisture Preference: Dry to average
Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Drought Tolerance (Xeriscape): Yes
Growth Rate: Medium
Average Height (feet): 1
Average Spread (feet): 1.5
Average Life Span (years): 8
Form: Mounded
Foliage Color: Blue
Foliage Shape: Grassy
Incorporating Cool as Ice Blue Fescue into your landscape design can bring a touch of elegance and simplicity. It’s perfect for creating serene, monochromatic schemes or for adding a splash of color to rock gardens and borders.
This variety pairs well with both bold and subtle colored plants, allowing for dynamic and visually appealing garden compositions. Use it to edge walkways or patios, where its striking foliage can be appreciated up close, or plant in mass for a stunning, sea-like effect in larger landscapes. Its drought tolerance makes it a staple for xeriscaping, requiring minimal care while offering maximum impact.
In a modern garden, Cool as Ice Blue Fescue's sleek texture and color provide a sophisticated touch, complementing minimalist designs and clean lines.
Its ability to grow in poor soils and its compact size make it a perfect fit for rock gardens, where it adds color and texture among stones and gravel paths.
For coastal gardens, its tolerance to wind and salt makes it an excellent choice, mirroring the cool tones of the sea and sky.
Plant Cool as Ice Blue Fescue along borders for a crisp, clean look that defines garden spaces with its icy blue hue. It’s also ideal as a ground cover in sunny spots, where it creates a low-maintenance carpet of color. For a striking contrast, combine it with plants that have dark green or burgundy foliage, which will make its blue color pop even more.
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In spring, Cool as Ice Blue Fescue Grass begins to grow vigorously, its blue blades fresh and vibrant, adding a burst of color to the awakening garden.
During the summer, its foliage intensifies in color, providing a cool contrast to the warmer hues of summer blooms and greenery.
In fall, Cool as Ice Blue Fescue Grass maintains its striking blue color, offering a consistent visual anchor as other plants begin to fade.
Even in winter, this grass retains its color and form, adding interest and texture to the garden during the dormant season.
Cool as Ice Blue Fescue Grass thrives in areas that receive full sun. Its vibrant blue hue is most pronounced when planted in well-lit locations, making it ideal for sunny borders, rockeries, or open landscapes.
This grass requires full sun to maintain its striking blue coloration. It can tolerate partial shade but with a potential reduction in the intensity of its foliage color.
Cool as Ice Blue Fescue Grass prefers well-drained soil and is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including poor soils, making it a versatile choice for challenging garden spots.
Space plants approximately 12 inches apart to allow for their clumping growth habit and to ensure that each plant has enough room to develop fully.
The best time to plant Cool as Ice Blue Fescue Grass is in the spring or early fall, which allows the plants time to establish before extreme weather conditions.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, place the plant ensuring the crown is at soil level, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly. Mulching can help retain moisture and reduce weed competition.
Initially, water regularly to establish the plant. Once established, Cool as Ice Blue Fescue Grass is drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering except during prolonged dry spells.
Fertilize sparingly in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to promote healthy growth without compromising the plant’s natural growth habit and color.
Pruning is minimal. Trim back dead or discolored foliage in early spring to encourage fresh, vibrant growth.
Remove winter debris and apply a light fertilizer to encourage new growth. This is also a good time to divide plants if they've become overcrowded.
Ensure plants receive adequate water during extremely hot, dry periods. Otherwise, minimal care is needed.
Reduce watering as the plant prepares for dormancy. Fall is also an ideal time for planting or division.
No special care is needed in winter. Cool as Ice Blue Fescue Grass remains hardy and retains its color in colder months.
Divide Cool as Ice Blue Fescue Grass every 2-3 years in early spring or fall to maintain its health and vigor.
Yes, it can be grown in containers where its color can be a striking addition to patios or balconies, provided it receives enough sunlight.
No, Cool as Ice Blue Fescue Grass is not invasive. Its clumping growth habit means it does not spread aggressively and can be easily managed within the landscape.
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