Blue Fescue is a hay that is highly nutritious feed for livestock animals. Gardeners love having these perennials in their gardens because they are low-maintenance plants.
Now that you have understood the comfort of planting Blue Fescue, you may want to hear more about it. The herbaceous evergreen grass belongs to the Poaceae family. Blue Fescue is a colorful ornamental grass that looks beautiful when sown in the soil.
In this post, we’ll share Blue Fescue’s best companion plants and their growth requirements. We have also mentioned some pests and diseases to be taken care of to help increase their longevity.
Let’s move on to the article and learn more about blue fescue.
Why Does Blue Fescue Need Companion Plants?
Before diving into the companion list of Blue Fescue, let’s learn what companion plants are!
Companion planting is an ancient practice for growing various plants effectively. It increases productivity when planted close to each other. They are grown together to boost soil nutrients, attract beneficial pollinators, repel pests, keep weeds out, prevent soil erosion, provide ground cover, and add color to your garden.
Similarly, we’ll look at how Blue Fescue’s need for companion plants can encourage each other’s growth. Let’s find out what companion plants are best when planted with Blue Fescue.
7 Best Blue Fescue Companion Plants
Here are Blue Fescue’s seven best companion plants that may thrive better under the following conditions.
1. Morning Glory
Morning Glories and Blue Fescue have similar growing conditions, such as full sunlight with good drainage for their healthy growth.
Both are ornamental plants. They look beautiful when planted together by adding attractive features to the landscape.
Blue Fescue, together with Morning Glory, are drought-tolerant plants. They are hardy plants that can thrive even in unfavorable conditions.
2. Zinnias
Zinnias are plants that can be grown effortlessly as garden plants. Planting them with Blue Fescue adds colorful vision to the landscape.
Blue Fescue and Zinnias have similar growing conditions. Both plants grow in full sunlight and require well-drained soil.
Zinnias aids in repelling pests such as garden bugs and other harmful insects. Planting them together will ward off pests from Blue Fescue.
Zinnias attract beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that are good for pollen and nectar. Planting them with Blue Fescue will aid in each other’s growth.
3. Texas Sage
Texas Sage and Blue Fescue are easy to take care of. Plant them together as they are good companion plants.
Both Texas Sage and Blue Fescue have similar growing conditions. Both plants grow in full sunlight and require well-drained soil.
Blue Fescue, together with Texas Sage, are drought-tolerant plants. They require less water and can thrive even in unfavorable conditions.
When planted together, Blue Fescue and Texas Sage give the landscape a beautiful flowerbed look.
4. Crape Myrtles
Blue Fescue and Crape Myrtles are drought-tolerant plants. The water requirement is less, which helps thrive even in adverse conditions.
Together Blue Fescue and Crape Myrtles’ needs are less demanding. Plant them together as good companions as they grow easily without much effort.
Crape Myrtles attract pollinators such as bees and wasps. Planting them with Blue Fescue will help them grow and fertilize each other.
Blue Fescue, when planted alongside Blue Fescue, gives spectacular striking colors to your garden.
5. Lavenders
Blue Fescue and Lavenders’ growing needs are similar. Both plants grow in full sunlight and require well-drained soil.
Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds get attracted to Lavenders, which benefits Blue Fescues’ growth.
Both Lavenders and Blue Fescue are the best companion plants. Together they look stunning when planted in a row.
6. Bottlebrush
Bottlebrush grows steadily and can withstand adverse conditions. Plant Blue Fescue with Bottlebrush because they have the same growing condition.
Both are drought-tolerant plants. The water requirement is less, which helps it thrive even in dry conditions.
Bottlebrush attracts pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds that feed for nectar. Having it with Blue Fescue will aid in providing better plant growth.
Bottlebrush is a beautiful-looking garden plant. Place it with Blue Fescue as together they’ll capture attraction to the visitors’ eye.
7. Blue Spruce
Blue Spruce and Blue Fescue are trouble-free plants. Place them together as they are friendly plants that grow happily.
Both are ornamental plants. Plant Blue Spruce and Blue Fescue together for a gorgeous landscaping look.
6 Worst Companion Plants For Blue Fescue
Here are the worst companion plants you should not plant with Blue Fescue:
1. Pampas Grass
Pampas Grass are tall, fluffy grass plants that can shade Blue Fescue when grown together. Planting them next to each other makes them bad companions.
Further planting Pampas Grass alongside can limit the growth of the plant and can even damage Blue Fescue.
2. Arborvitae
Arborvitae can shadow Blue Fescue when grown together. They are bad companions when planted together.
Moreover, planting Arborvitae beside can cause stunting the growth of the Blue Fescue plant and can even damage the plant.
3. Hydrangea
Hydrangea is a broad-spreading plant that can obstruct light which is necessary for Blue Fescue when grown closely. Together they are bad companion plants.
Further planting Hydrangea alongside can limit the growth of the Blue Fescue plant and can even damage it.
4. Smoke Tree
Smoke Trees will shade Blue Fescue as they are large trees, which hinders Blue Fescue’s sun requirement. Therefore, Smoke Trees and Blue Fescue are not good companions.
Furthermore, planting Smoke Trees alongside will restrict the growth of the Blue Fescue plant and can cause damage.
5. Joy Pye
Joy Pye’s tall bushy plant can also cast a shade over Blue Fescue when grown together. So they are not companions.
Secondly, planting Joy Pye alongside can obstruct the growth of the Blue Fescue and can further kill the plant.
6. Nine Bark
Nine Bark is a tough bushy plant that can block off the light when grown closely with Blue Fescue. Avoid placing them beside each other, as they are bad companion plants.
Planting Nine Bark alongside can stunt the Blue Fescue plant and even damage it. They are not good companion plants.
What Are Blue Fescue’s Growing Requirements?
As a gardener, you should know the growing requirements of a particular plant. Below we have listed the growing conditions of the Blue Fescue plant.
1. Sun
The sun requirement for Blue Fescue is that it thrives best in full sunlight. It even tolerates partial shade. Blue Fescue flourishes even better in total light to achieve a green-blue color. In the case of shady sun conditions, the leaves of blue fescue tend to be more greener.
2. Soil
Soil is an essential factor for plants to grow adequately. The plant needs average moisture for healthy growth. When matured, these plants tolerate drought, even in average soil conditions.
3. Water
Blue fescue should be watered until the soil is moist enough. The moist soil further helps the plant in attaining the green-blue color hue. The plant needs weekly watering during the summer months.
4. Fertilizer
The plant does not require extra fertilizer. The fertilizer needs are less because composting around blue fescue acts as an organic mulch that is good enough for the plant’s potential growth.
5. Growing Season
Blue Fescue are short perennial plants that thrive best in cool climatic zones. It prefers to grow in the spring and fall seasons. Extra care is needed in summer for plants to grow under partial shade. Avoid too much heat and humidity that harms the plant by damaging the foliage.
Grass Diseases And Pests
As an evergreen ornamental plant, Blue Fescue can take hold of a few pests and diseases prone to them.
Nonetheless, diseases can take hold if not adequately cared for. Over-watering, excessive humidity, and moisture can result in root rots.
Understanding the basic requirements to deal with diseases and preventing them is essential to keep Blue Fescue healthy.
Here are some diseases and pests that mainly occur with Blue Fescue.
- Leaf scorch
- Lace Bugs
- Aphids
Remedies to Protect Blue Fescue From Diseases And Pests
Blue Fescue plants are susceptible to a few pests and are prone to diseases. Here are the steps required to protect Blue Fescue to limit the spreading of diseases and pests.
- Proper air circulation is mandatory to prevent the growth of fungi.
- Use insecticide sprays if you find any spots in the leaves.
- Applying herbal treatments such as neem oil can help treat garden pests.
- Homemade remedy that includes spraying soap water to kill harmful insects.
Conclusion
Blue Fescue is a beautiful grass to have in your garden. The perennial grass has a unique appearance, making them attractive ornamental plants. Since they are easy to care for plants, you can have them in your garden, especially if you have livestock animals to feed.
The above article discusses Blue Fescue’s seven best companion plants with their growing requirements. These companion plants will help in healthy growth, and treating them carefully can help deter these pests and diseases.
But, to truly enjoy a healthy garden, you must know which plants to avoid pairing with Blue Fescue. Hope you enjoyed reading this article!
Happy planting!