Blue fescue (Festuca cinerea, Fl. Delphinalis: 8 (1786))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Vill.

Bibliography: Fl. Delphinalis: 8 (1786)

Year: 1786

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Festuca

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. France to NW. Italy

Description

Blue fescue, scientifically known as Festuca cinerea, is an attractive perennial grass that graces many gardens and landscapes with its striking bluish-gray foliage. Originating from southeastern France to northwestern Italy, this ornamental plant belongs to the Poaceae family, making it a part of the diverse and ecologically significant grass family.

First described in the late 18th century by the botanist Vill., Blue fescue has long been admired and cultivated for its unique aesthetic qualities. The plant forms neat, rounded mounds of fine, needle-like leaves that retain their distinctive color throughout the growing season, providing a visual contrast to the greens and other hues typically found in garden plantings.

Blue fescue thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soils and is remarkably drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens. Its compact size and clumping nature make it an ideal choice for edging, rock gardens, and container gardening. Moreover, Festuca cinerea is often utilized in mass plantings to create a sea of blue-green waves that sway gently with the breeze, adding texture and movement to the landscape.

In addition to its foliage, Blue fescue produces tall, wispy flower spikes in late spring to early summer. These delicate inflorescences rise above the foliage and add an extra layer of interest, eventually maturing to a soft tan color that complements the foliage.

Overall, Blue fescue is a versatile and visually appealing species that brings distinctive color, texture, and resilience to gardens across its native range and beyond. Its continued popularity in horticulture attests to its enduring charm and practical horticultural benefits.

Common Names

Nld: hard zwenkgras
Swe: kalksvingel
En: Blue Fescue
Nl: Hard zwenkgras
Fr: Fétuque cendrée
De: Blaugrüner Schwingel, Blauschwingel
It: Festuca cenerina
Sv: Kalksvingel

Synonyms

• Festuca ovina subvar. puberula (Hack.)
• Festuca cinerea f. pubiculmis ((Hack.) M.Toman)
• Festuca cinerea f. punctata (M.Toman)
• Festuca cinerea f. pyramidata (M.Toman)
• Festuca glauca var. cinerea ((Vill.) Schrad.)
• Festuca cinerea f. spuria (M.Toman)
• Festuca cinerea f. stenostachya ((Hack.) Beldie)
• Festuca pallens f. pubiculmis ((Hack.) Soó)
• Festuca glauca f. puberula ((Hack.) Soó)
• Festuca cinerea var. lapidosa (Stohr)
• Festuca ovina subvar. cinerea ((Vill.) Hack.)
• Festuca glaucina (Stohr)
• Festuca cinerea f. paradoxa (M.Toman)
• Festuca pallens subsp. mamaiae (Prodán)
• Festuca cinerea var. mamaiae ((Prodán) Beldie)
• Festuca cinerea f. longifolia ((Parl.) Beldie)
• Festuca cinerea f. insularis (M.Toman)
• Festuca ovina f. stenostachys (Hack.)
• Festuca cinerea f. depauperata ((Hack.) Beldie)
• Festuca ovina f. depauperata (Hack.)
• Festuca glauca f. pubiculmis ((Hack.) Soó)
• Festuca glauca subsp. cinerea ((Vill.) K.Richt.)
• Festuca cinerea f. bohemica (M.Toman)
• Festuca vaginata f. mamaiae ((Prodán) Soó)
• Festuca duriuscula subvar. cinerea ((Vill.) Rouy)

Distribution

• France (native)
• Italy (native)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by tri nity (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2021 by Maik Ulrich (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by brigitte.s (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 26, 2012 by Pedro Gaspar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2012 by Pedro Gaspar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2012 by Pedro Gaspar (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2704954)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:402557-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Festuca cinerea Vill.)

Specifications

Growth