It’s believed there are as many as 500 different species of festuca. This type, festuca glauca, is a terrific edition to any outdoor space for both its silvery-blue colouring and its tactile leaves. It’s almost impossible to resist running your hand through it whenever you pass it. 

It does equally well in a pot as in the ground, and it loves living in those really sunny spots that some other plants find too harsh. It can cope with sustained drought, so it’s a strong choice for forgetful waterers.

Festuca grows in a compact ball and won’t get much bigger than its current size. In summer, it may produce some feathery flowers, but the reason to plant it is for its handsome foliage. It’s a really good way to bring some unusual colour to your outdoor space, particularly if you want something that will basically take care of itself. 

You don’t need to do anything other than water it occasionally and maybe give it a quick comb through with your fingers once per year to remove any dead leaves. 

Did you know?

There are native festuca species on every continent except Antarctica.