Elijah Blue Fescue Grass

Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'

Nature Hills Nursery

Striking Steel-Blue Foliage Forms Dome-Shaped Tufts that Add Year-Round Color and Texture
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 1 ft Tall, 1-2 ft Wide
Showy Purple Blooms From Early Summer to Late Summer
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant

$16⁹⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. While it tolerates partial shade, the signature icy blue color will fade to a duller green without enough sun.
Soil: This grass requires excellent drainage and thrives in lean or rocky soil. For heavy clay, mix in organic compost or plant in a raised mound to prevent the roots from sitting in water, which causes center dieback.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water twice a week to help the root system reach deep into the soil. Once established, Elijah Blue is highly drought tolerant and only needs supplemental water during extreme heat waves. If the soil stays consistently soggy, the plant will rot, but if it gets too dry for too long, the tips of the blades will turn brown and crispy.

Pruning Tips

Elijah Blue Fescue blooms on old wood, but most gardeners grow it for the foliage rather than the tan seed heads. In late winter or very early spring, comb through the plant with gloved hands to remove dead blades or "haircut" the entire tuft back to about 3 inches tall. This removal of old growth makes room for the bright blue new blades to emerge, keeping the mound looking tight and tidy instead of shaggy.

Fertilizer Needs

This ornamental grass is a light feeder and generally only needs a single application of balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers in late summer because this encourages soft, lush growth that cannot harden off before the first frost. Over fertilizing can actually cause the plant to flop over and lose its neat, spherical shape.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Deer-resistant, Slopes/Erosion Control, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Container Friendly, Attracts pollinators, Evergreen, Flowering, Fast-growing
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	1 ft
Width	1-2 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Summer
Flower Color	Purple
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name	Grass
Botanical Name	Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'
Species	glauca
Cultivar	Elijah Blue
Class	Poales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

If you're on the hunt for a versatile, compact cool-blue Ornamental Grass, then consider the colorful Elijah Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue') at NatureHills.com! Gardeners love Elijah Blue Fescue for its unique porcupine-like dome-shaped tufts and needle-like blades that add visual interest to their landscapes.

Colorful Elijah Blue Fescue bursts with light green flowers bearing a tinge of purple on their panicles from late spring through early summer. These flowers quickly give way to telltale buffy seed heads that resemble wheat, adding even more visual fun to the display.

With its bluish-gray foliage, the plumes appear overwhelming from June to July. A partial evergreen in the warmer of its favored growing zone range, this cool-season Ornamental grass is hardy throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 9 and is remarkably space-saving! Only growing 12 inches tall when in bloom and spreading to about 12-24 inches wide at maturity.

Planting and Application:

You can use Elijah Blue as groundcover for small areas, an edging plant for paths or borders, or as a beautiful accent in a rock garden! Combined with blue and purple flowers, such as Salvia and Veronica, it adds color and contrast to any perennial garden. Use it as an accent in a container garden to give your arrangement a bit of native appeal. The cool and calming color even lends itself nicely to Zen gardens and Moon Gardens!

The spindles of this ornamental grass are deer-resistant, which is an important consideration in areas where deer pose a problem to plant health. Elijah Blue Fescue is also a top choice for firescaping. Lower water usage once established, try groupings or rows of this hardy, salt-tolerant perennial Grass in the hell strip along roads, sidewalks, driveways, and pathways!

Blue Grey Foliage
Very Easy To Grow!
Compact Spiky Ball!
Fantastic Space-Saving Form & Color
Xeric & Firescaping Selection
Containers, Edging, Groundcover & En Masse, Specimen & Garden Accent

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Elijah Blue prefers full sun but will tolerate morning shade. Known throughout the gardening world as the best of the Blue Fescue grasses, Elijah Blue is fairly easy to grow, even in the absence of a green thumb. It is tolerant of drought and grows quickly. Once established, it requires only occasional watering under normal conditions, but looks even better with a drink during the hot summer months. One of the most durable and long-lived ornamentals, colorful Elijah Blue Fescue is also salt-tolerant, so it is a great option for use in coastal climates! Prune this cool-season grass in early spring to create a clean mound each year.

Full Sun to Part Shade
Moderate to Low Moisture Needs
Adaptable to Almost Any Well-Drained Soil
Prune Early Spring
Deer Seldom Bother It
Fire-Wise & Salt Tolerant Cool Season Grass

You'll love this top selection for any place in your sunny landscape! Order the cool, calm, and collected Elijah Blue Fescue Grass from NatureHills.com today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones can Elijah Blue Fescue grass grow in?

Elijah Blue Fescue thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9. This cool-season ornamental grass is remarkably hardy and can handle both cold winters and warm summers across this broad range. Plant it in well-draining soil for best results in your zone.

How tall and wide does Elijah Blue Fescue get when fully mature?

Elijah Blue Fescue reaches 12 inches tall when in bloom and spreads 12-24 inches wide at maturity. This compact ornamental grass maintains its tidy, dome-shaped form throughout USDA zones 4-9. Perfect for small spaces and containers available at naturehills.com.

How often should I water newly planted Elijah Blue Fescue grass?

Water newly planted Elijah Blue Fescue 2-3 times per week for the first month to establish roots. This cool-season grass needs consistent moisture initially but becomes drought-tolerant once established. Reduce watering frequency after 4-6 weeks as it develops its low-water nature.

Is Elijah Blue Fescue considered a fast-growing or slow-growing ornamental grass?

Elijah Blue Fescue is a moderate-growing ornamental grass that reaches its mature size of 12 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide within 2-3 seasons. This cool-season perennial establishes steadily in zones 4-9. Plant in spring for best establishment, and expect full flowering displays by the second year.

Is Elijah Blue Fescue deer resistant?

Yes, Elijah Blue Fescue is deer resistant due to its spiky, needle-like texture that deer typically avoid. This makes it an excellent choice for problem areas where deer browsing is common. Plant it as edging or groundcover in zones 4-9, available at naturehills.com.

Can Elijah Blue Fescue be shipped year-round or only during certain seasons?

Elijah Blue Fescue can typically be shipped spring through fall when plants are actively growing. As a hardy perennial surviving zones 4-9, it transplants well during cooler months. Check availability during your planting season for best establishment results.

Does Elijah Blue Fescue require fertilizing and if so, how often?

Elijah Blue Fescue thrives without regular fertilizing once established, as it naturally prefers lean soils. This hardy ornamental grass actually performs better with minimal feeding, which helps maintain its compact 12-inch form and blue-gray color. Apply a light balanced fertilizer only in early spring if growth appears weak.

Should Elijah Blue Fescue be cut back annually and when is the best time?

Yes, Elijah Blue Fescue should be cut back annually in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Since it's a cool-season grass hardy in zones 4-9, timing this cleanup in February or March works well. Cut the entire clump back to 2-3 inches above ground level to make room for fresh blue-gray foliage.