Elijah Blue Fescue
Best low-maintenance ornamental grass for adding vibrant color to sunny borders.
The Elijah Blue Fescue is an ornamental grass celebrated for its outstanding, icy blue coloration that maintains its vibrancy even through summer heat. This clumping grass produces buff-colored plumes, offering striking visual contrast in the landscape. It is perfectly suited for defining borders, edging pathways, or mass planting as a groundcover. Once established, this semi-evergreen variety is notably drought tolerant, making it a water-wise choice for modern gardens. It requires full sun exposure to achieve its best color and texture throughout the growing season.
$11.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 2989
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-57%
Below average
Mature Height
12
/ inches
Who it's for
- Homeowners prioritizing low-water, drought-resistant landscaping
- Minimalists wanting tidy, low-maintenance garden edging
- Gardeners seeking vibrant, year-round color contrast
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in hot, humid climates wanting long-lived perennials
- People with heavy, poorly draining soil conditions
- Busy gardeners avoiding seasonal maintenance tasks
Performance breakdown
Color Vibrancy
Icy blue tones remain remarkably vivid even during peak summer heat.
Drought Tolerance
A water-wise performer that thrives with minimal supplemental irrigation once established.
Year-Round Interest
Semi-evergreen foliage ensures the landscape avoids a barren winter look.
Growth Speed
Rapid development makes it ideal for quickly filling garden borders.
Visual Contrast
Buff-colored plumes create a sophisticated texture against the cool blue base.
Maintenance Ease
Low-fuss habit requires little more than occasional grooming to stay tidy.
Key Specs
Mature Height
12 inches
Mature Width
12 inches
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Bloom Time
Late Summer
Growth Rate
Fast
Water Needs
Dry to Average (Waterwise)
Foliage Color
Silver, Blue
Features
- Maintains striking icy blue foliage color through summer heat
- Produces contrasting buff-colored plumes
- Semi-evergreen habit provides year-round interest
- Fast growth rate helps fill spaces quickly
What customers say
Consumers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Monrovia stock, noting the plants arrive healthy, robust, and ready for immediate planting. The primary appeal centers on the plant's reliability and striking aesthetic design. Customers confirm the Elijah Blue Fescue establishes quickly and maintains its vibrant, silvery blue color throughout the season, even in challenging, dry conditions. This hardiness and low maintenance requirement make it a highly valued addition to borders and xeriscapes, justifying the premium price point for a dependable landscape solution.
Know before you buy
Yes, this variety is specifically noted for its ability to retain its icy blue foliage color even during the heat of summer, unlike some other fescue varieties that may fade or brown.
Elijah Blue Fescue requires full sun exposure to maintain its vibrant color and compact texture. If planted in partial shade, the foliage may lose its intensity and the plant may become less dense.
Once established, it is considered a water-wise plant with dry to average water needs. However, you should provide regular water during the first growing season to help the root system develop properly.
It is a semi-evergreen plant, meaning it will provide year-round interest in many climates. Depending on the severity of your local winter, the foliage may remain blue or turn a bit more muted, but it generally holds its form well.
Since the mature size is approximately 12 inches wide, you should space them about 12 inches apart on center if you want them to grow together as a solid, continuous border or groundcover.
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$12