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Festuca x 'Cool as Ice' PP27,651

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Product ID#: gblue
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$26.99
Starting at: $21.99
Product Description
Sun Exposure Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Bloom Time Summer
Soil Conditions Normal, Sandy, Clay/Heavy, Dry
Flower Color Green
Mature Plant Size (H x W) 8-12" x 8-12"
Cool As Ice Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) is a cool-season, clump-forming grass that brings a striking color to any landscape design. It's a hardy, low-tufted grass with a powdery, silver-blue coloration perfect for cool-toned garden palettes. Cool As Ice is an excellent edging grass that’s most effective in mass plantings. This blue ornamental grass’s thin blades gracefully arch to give texture to your garden’s borders, from entryways to pathways.

Create Stunning Landscapes With Cool As Ice Blue Fescue from McKay Nursery

Our experts at McKay Nursery are ready to provide you with plants that fit perfectly into your gardening plans, which includes our Cool as Ice Blue Fescue ornamental grass. This low-maintenance grass is perfect for edging and mass plantings, bringing year-round interest and resilience to your landscape. Looking to incorporate blue ornamental grass into your garden? Order from us at McKay Nursery today! If you need additional information or help with your purchases, contact us at [email protected] or call 920-478-2121.
  • sunshade Sun, Part Sun/Shade
  • Mature Plant Size (H x W) Mature Plant Size (H x W): 8-12" x 8-12"
  • Bloom Season Bloom Season: Summer
Key features
  • Attracts Birds
  • Deer Resistant
  • Salt Tolerant
  • Native
  • Winter Interest
  • Low Maintenance
  • Stone Mulch
  • Walnut Toxicity Resistant
Planting Care

Planting & Care for Blue Fescue Grass

Preparation
  • Blue Fescue is a cool season, with clump-forming grass. It's a hardy, low-tufted cool season grass with a powdery, silver-blue coloration.
  • Thin blades are gracefully arched, but only attain a height of 4-8" or so and 6-10" when blooming.
  • Remember to trim back foliage late in March or early April each year to keep them looking well-cut.
  • Be sure to plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils.
  • Drought tolerant once established.
  • Thrives in hardiness zone 4.
Opening Plant Material
  • Containers: Completely saturate all container plants by putting them in a larger water container until bubbling stops. Remove the plant, then dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container, ensuring it’s wider on the sides by an additional 6” or more.
Planting Containers
  • Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or wider on the sides.
    Slide the plant from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
  • With a shovel or knife, trim the bottom 2" off the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
  • Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
    Place the root ball in the hole.
  • Adjust the plant height so the root crown is slightly higher than the ground.
    Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
  • Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
  • Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
  • Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
  • See our link below, “Planting & Handling Help,” for a downloadable planting guide with illustrations.
Pruning - After Planting
  • Containers: Although it’s not essential after planting, light pruning can help shape a Blue Fescue ornamental grass. Doing so removes any broken branches from shipping or thins out a heavily branched plant to assist in the transplanting process and the appearance of your new planting.
Pruning - Through-out the Season
 Watering - After Planting
  • Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
  • Beyond the six-week establishment period, water once per week unless rain occurs.
  • Remember to check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil around 3”.
Watering - Through-out the Season
  • After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
  • How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it’s dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
  • Same as after planting, stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best growing zones for Blue Fescue ornamental grass?

Blue Fescue ornamental grass seedlings thrive best in growing zones 4-8. This type of ornamental grass needs average moisture, requiring supplemental water in summer.

When do Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) ornamental grasses get their blue color?

Blue Fescue grass gets its vibrant blue foliage by early spring and late fall. Then, its color turns into blue-green by summer till winter. While the plant is drought-resistant, its color may turn brown during harsh winters.

How do I propagate Blue Fescue ornamental grass?

One of the best ways to do this is through division. Here’s how you propagate a Cool As Ice Blue Fescue grass:

  • First, pry the plant out of the ground using a shovel or a garden trowel.
  • Next, use a spade or pruners to cut the clump in half. Remove any brown sections present.
  • Do not pull apart the clump with your hands since doing so may damage the root structure.
  • Replant the clump sections, spacing them 8 to 10 inches apart in your landscape.
  • Cover the roots with soil, then water deeply right after planting.
  • Water regularly until you see new grass growth.


  • Keep in mind that Blue Fescue ornamental grass rarely lives past three to five years unless it’s divided.

    What are the common pests of Blue ornamental grass?

    The presence of aphids can be an issue when growing Blue Fescue ornamental grass. The simple solution is to give your grass a blast of water to wash the aphids away. If you’re facing tougher infestations, you may use horticultural oil or insecticidal soaps.

    Can I grow Blue ornamental grass indoors?

    Although there’s no strict rule on growing Blue Fescue ornamental grass indoors, you need to allocate space for them to grow. Otherwise, you must move your grass to an outdoor area with plenty of space to grow properly.

    Planting & Handling Help

    Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.

    Learn More

    Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.

    Plant Sizing

    What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?

    Shipping Times

    Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.

     

    Shipping Dates by Region*

     

    Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th

    Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th

    Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th

    Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th

    Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th

     

    Shipping Dates by Season*

     

    Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May

    Fall Shipping: September - November

     

    Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.