{"product_id":"boulder-blue-fescue","title":"Boulder Blue Fescue","description":"\u003ch1\u003eYear-Round Blue-Gray Accent for Minnesota Sunny Borders\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoulder Blue Fescue (\u003cem\u003eFestuca glauca 'Boulder Blue'\u003c\/em\u003e) is a ornamental grass hand-selected for the Twin Cities climate. Tan, wheat-like flowerheads in early summer. Whether you're planting a sunny border in Bloomington, layering a foundation bed in Lakeville, or anchoring a perennial bed in Minnetonka — Boulder Blue Fescue performs reliably in zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBoulder Blue Fescue Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFestuca glauca 'Boulder Blue'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Fescue, Boulder Blue Fescue\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to average. Drought-tolerant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-drained soil. Tolerates sandy and rocky soils.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStriking blue-gray, fine-textured evergreen grass; tidy compact mound.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStrongly deer-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTan, wheat-like flowerheads in early summer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Interest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen tufts hold their color and shape under MN snow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBoulder Blue Fescue Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFront-of-border edging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tidy 12-inch mound creates a clean blue-gray edge across Twin Cities sunny borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRock gardens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOutstanding for rocky, well-drained sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMass plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in groups of 5+ at 14-inch spacing for a flowing blue-gray sweep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Boulder Blue Fescue in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window.\u003c\/strong\u003e Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May) is the second-best window\u003c\/strong\u003e — the plant gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Boulder Blue Fescue\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDig wide, not deep.\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container. Heavy clay benefits from even wider digging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck drainage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fill the hole with water — if it doesn't drain in 30 minutes, mound-plant or break through any clay hardpan to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBackfill with native soil + 20–30% compost.\u003c\/strong\u003e Minnesota clay-loam benefits from organic amendment but don't create a \"container\" of pure compost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing.\u003c\/strong\u003e Refer to the mature width above and space accordingly. Closer for mass plantings, wider for individual specimen plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater basin.\u003c\/strong\u003e Build a 3–4 inch ring around the planting to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove before winter to avoid ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulch.\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk or crown. Do NOT use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Boulder Blue Fescue in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes per plant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages ~3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze\u003c\/strong\u003e (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro) to avoid pushing late-season growth that gets killed by winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished plants only need supplemental water during droughts (2+ weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Water deeply and infrequently — every 7–14 days during dry spells, soaking to 6–8 inches depth. Let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Blue Fescue survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — hardy to zone 4. Evergreen foliage holds its blue color through the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Blue Fescue deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrongly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all\"\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog\u003c\/a\u003e — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/deer-resistant\"\u003eDeer-Resistant Plants\u003c\/a\u003e — for high-pressure suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pollinator-garden\"\u003ePollinator Garden Plants\u003c\/a\u003e — supports the Lawns to Legumes program\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Boulder Blue Fescue Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoulder Blue Fescue stays a compact 8–12 inch tuft; plant on 14-inch centers for a flowing blue-gray sweep:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:480px;margin:12px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;font-weight:600;background:#f4f7ec;\"\u003eEdge \/ mass length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;font-weight:600;background:#f4f7ec;\"\u003ePlants needed (14 in apart)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e9\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e17\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e26\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e34\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the cleanest effect, plant in groups of 5 or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBoulder Blue Fescue Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright blue-gray blades sharpen up as growth resumes; tan, wheat-like flowerheads rise in early summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds an intense steel-blue color in full sun and heat — the bluer the light, the bluer the fescue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keeps its tidy mounded form and color as the garden winds down.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen tufts hold their blue color and shape under Minnesota snow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/little-bluestem\"\u003eLittle Bluestem\u003c\/a\u003e — a taller native grass that layers height behind the blue mounds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — vertical golden plumes over the low blue tufts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-fire-sedum\"\u003eAutumn Fire Sedum\u003c\/a\u003e — succulent rose-red heads for a classic grass-and-sedum pairing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/sombrero-granada-gold-coneflower\"\u003eSombrero Granada Gold Coneflower\u003c\/a\u003e — warm gold daisies that contrast the cool blue foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Boulder Blue Fescue Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoulder Blue Fescue is built for hot, sunny, well-drained spots — rock gardens, border edges, and dry slopes — and shrugs off drought and deer. It struggles in shade or wet, heavy clay, where the blue fades and the crown is prone to rot, so give it sharp drainage and full sun.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54219868995889,"sku":null,"price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Boulder_Blue_Fescue_1.jpg?v=1778991915","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/boulder-blue-fescue","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}