Festuca is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the grass family, Poaceae. They are evergreen or herbaceous perennial tufted grasses with a height range of 10 to 200cm and a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. Some species are used as ornamental and turf grasses. Festuca species are easily established on bare ground, out-competing other plants and persisting over several years, and so is often used in soil erosion control programs.

Festuca glauca commonly known as blue mondo grass or blue festuca grows as a small ornamental perennial mound grass. It rarely exceeds 30cm in height. Each blade of grass appears to be coated in a blue powdery substance that can be rubbed off. Tiny spikelets of flowers appear each spring. The flower heads are often sheared off so they do not detract from the overall neat mounded appearance of Festuca glauca. When grown in full sunlight the blue festuca develops a deeper blue colour. The grass can also be grown in partial shade and will flourish with diminished colour. In regions where the temperature often reaches 30°C or more the grass should be planted in partial shade to afford it additional protection from the staggering heat. Blue fescue will flourish in poor, sandy soil conditions with ease. The grass is also extremely drought tolerant. Normally grown as an ornamental grass, the blue festuca can also thrive as an interesting turf grass. It can withstand mowing well and offers a unique colour choice to any lawn. The grass is shade tolerant and will maintain its outstanding blue colour even during the winter months. The mound forming habit and fine foliage give this grass a formal appearance. The small size enables it to be used in pots, baskets and as edging along the front of borders. It may need to be divided every few years to keep it tidy. Trim back in late summer to stimulate new growth.