Protected Series:
Zone: 4
COOL AS ICE FESCUE GRASS
Festuca glauca 'Cool as Ice' is a high-performance Blue Fescue cultivar known for its exceptional heat tolerance and brilliant, icy-blue coloration. This cool-season ornamental grass forms a neat, uniform mound of fine-textured foliage that typically reaches 12-15 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide. It is specifically bred to be more resilient than older fescues, maintaining its vibrant silvery-blue hue even during the sweltering humidity of mid-summer when other varieties might struggle or "melt out." In early summer, it produces delicate, light green flower stalks that transition to a soft tan, hovering gracefully above the spiky blue tufts.
Care for 'Cool as Ice' is centered on providing a sunny, well-ventilated spot in the garden. It thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot; it is an ideal candidate for rock gardens, slopes, or as a high-contrast edging plant in xeriscapes. While it is quite drought-tolerant once established, it appreciates occasional watering during extreme dry spells to keep the foliage looking crisp. Maintenance is minimal. In early spring, simply comb out the dead blades with your fingers or a small hand rake rather than cutting the plant to the ground. This allows the fresh, cool-toned growth to emerge cleanly, keeping the mound looking like a bright, architectural "pincushion" throughout the year.
| PLANT | SIZE | TYPE | GALENA | ADD'L | DIG | SOON |
| FESTUCA COOL AS ICE | TRADE 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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To help this plant settle in and thrive, we recommend these standard planting practices: Plant in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH. Water regularly, but avoid overwatering. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune after blooming to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
Available cultivars in this genus:
