{"product_id":"festuca-glauca","title":"Festuca glauca","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Fescue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eFestuca glauca\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily: \u003c\/strong\u003ePoaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Europe\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen perennial grass (clumping)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for Adelaide’s hot, dry Mediterranean climate, Festuca glauca is a compact ornamental grass prized for its intense steel-blue to silvery-blue foliage and tidy, clumping form. Extremely drought tolerant once established, it thrives in full sun, free-draining soils and exposed conditions where many plants struggle. Its fine, needle-like leaves form neat mounds that provide year-round colour and texture, making it ideal for borders, rockeries, coastal gardens and modern landscapes. In late spring to early summer, slender flower stems rise above the foliage bearing soft tan flower heads that add subtle movement without overwhelming the plant’s clean form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25–40 cm H × 30–45 cm W (compact, clumping habit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–20 cm of growth per year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine, needle-like leaves in vivid blue, silver-blue or steel-blue tones; colour strongest in full sun and dry conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft tan to straw-coloured flower spikes in late spring–early summer, held above foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1407\" data-end=\"1421\"\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen blue foliage year-round; flower heads add seasonal texture in spring–summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low; occasional shelter for insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very drought tolerant once established; excellent heat and wind tolerance; coastal tolerant; frost hardy; dislikes humidity and poor drainage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mass planting or edging: 6–9 plants per m²; spacing 30–35 cm apart; suitable for 20–30 cm pots\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-toxic to cats and dogs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun essential for best colour and compact growth; foliage dulls in shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining sandy, gravelly or loamy soils; performs well in poor soils; avoid heavy clay unless sharply drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 1–2 deep soaks\/week for 6–8 weeks. Established: very low water needs; occasional deep watering during extended heatwaves only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very low. Comb out or trim tired foliage in late winter to refresh; divide clumps every 3–4 years to maintain colour and vigour; avoid rich fertilisers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–8 years; easily renewed by division\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate South Australia — Adelaide Plains, coastal suburbs, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neutral to slightly alkaline; tolerates mildly acidic soils if well drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModern and Mediterranean gardens needing clean lines and cool-toned contrast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRockeries, gravel gardens and dry borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEdging plant for paths, driveways and raised beds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoastal gardens exposed to wind and salt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStriking contrast with succulents, lavender, rosemary and native shrubs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFestuca glauca delivers bold blue colour, structure and texture all year with almost no maintenance. Perfect for Adelaide’s dry climate, it excels in tough, sunny positions and modern landscapes where waterwise planting is essential. Compact, hardy and visually striking, it’s a reliable favourite for both contemporary and coastal gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48654190117116,"sku":"FEST-GLAU-140MM","price":12.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/festuca-glauca-blue-fescue-140mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.png?v=1767782145","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/festuca-glauca","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}