Blue fescue (Festuca longifolia, Fl. Env. Paris, ed. 2: 50 (1799))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Thuill.

Bibliography: Fl. Env. Paris, ed. 2: 50 (1799)

Year: 1799

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Festuca

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: W. Europe

Description

Blue fescue, scientifically known as Festuca longifolia, is a perennial grass that belongs to the Poaceae family. This species is particularly admired for its striking blue-green foliage, making it a popular choice for ornamental gardening and landscape design.

Native to Western Europe, blue fescue thrives in a variety of soil types and is particularly well-suited to well-drained sites. Its graceful, clumping growth habit and fine-textured leaves lend an elegant, delicate appearance to garden beds, borders, and rockeries. The blue hue of its leaves can add a cool, serene tone to landscape palettes, complementing a wide range of other plants and flowers.

This grass is not only visually appealing but also relatively low-maintenance. It demonstrates good drought tolerance once established, requiring minimal watering. Its hardiness also means it can endure less-than-ideal conditions, such as poor soil fertility and exposure to wind. Furthermore, blue fescue is a resilient plant that can perform well in both full sun and partial shade, making it versatile for different garden settings.

Festuca longifolia was first formally described by author Jean-François Thuillier in the Flora of the Environment of Paris, second edition, published in 1799. Since then, it has garnered attention for both its aesthetic and practical qualities in gardening contexts. Gardeners often favor it for mass planting or as an accent plant, where its distinctive foliage can contrast beautifully with the greens and other colors of neighbouring plants.

In summary, blue fescue is a valuable addition to any garden due to its attractive blue foliage, hardiness, and low maintenance needs. Its ability to thrive in various conditions has ensured it remains a favorite among gardeners and landscapers seeking to add texture and color to their outdoor spaces.

Common Names

Deu: blaugrauer schwingel
Eng: blue fescue
Cym: peisgwellt glas, peiswellt glas
En: Blue fescue, Hard fescue
Fr: Fétuque à feuilles longues, Fétuque à longues feuilles
De: Hartschwingel, Langblättriger Schaf-Schwingel, Langblättriger Schwingel, Blaugrauer Schwingel
Cy: Peiswellt glas, Peisgwellt Glas

Synonyms

• Festuca duriuscula var. longifolia ((Thuill.) Holandre)
• Festuca ovina var. longifolia ((Thuill.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Festuca duriuscula subvar. longifolia ((Thuill.) Rouy)

Distribution

• Belgium (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Pedro Gaspar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Pedro Gaspar (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 1999 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 1998 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 1990 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

© 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/2704952)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:89999-3)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Festuca longifolia Thuill.)

Specifications

Growth