Festuca amethystina

The Festuca amethystina, also known as Amethyst fescue, is an evergreen perennial grass with delicate blue-green leaves. It forms a beautiful compact cushion adorned with flowering spikes subtly tinged with violet in late spring and early summer. Its lovely colour and lightness will bring a natural touch to your flower beds.

Native to the Alps and southern Europe and belonging to the vast family of Poaceae, this fescue has a bushy habit reaching a height and width of 40 cm (16in). Cousin of the Blue fescue is a variety that stands out with its lovely purple reflections, reminiscent of amethyst, and spikelets that appear in late spring / early summer. Its foliage consists of slender, wonderful, bluish-green leaves. An evergreen grass ensuring a presence in the garden throughout the year.

Fescues thrive in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. They are resistant, hardy plants, at least down to -15 °, which can withstand drought and even sea spray once well established. They are not known to be particularly susceptible to diseases.

Maintenance is almost nonexistent (no cutting back in spring like deciduous grasses). However, the most attentive gardeners can do light cleaning at the end of winter, removing dry leaves and faded spikelets from the perimeter. If, after a few years, the shrub becomes too large for your taste, do not hesitate to divide it, as it is the easiest way to propagate it.

Dancing in the wind, grasses are incomparable for bringing naturalness and lightness to gardens. They can be used in mass plantings, alone or with other grasses, or in borders, alongside other perennials. We recommend planting them in the sun, with Sedum spectabile, Achillea pomegranate, the elegant Salvia nemerosa Caradonna in full sun, and Heuchera Plum Pudding in partial shade. This plant can also be easily grown in pots.