Festuca glauca Sunrise

The Festuca 'Sunrise' is a variety of fescue with colors of dawn that lives up to its name. This small grass forms a compact clump of very fine, evergreen foliage, from which emerges in summer a flowering in shades of orange and copper that remains decorative for a long time. In autumn, its leaves take on coppery tones. Planted en masse, it forms a reliable and durable ground cover, even in poor and dry summer soils. It is also very pretty in a pot on a contemporary terrace.

The Festuca 'Sunrise' is a recent Polish horticultural selection. The Festuca belong to the Poaceae family. This herbaceous perennial plant has a clump-forming habit, meaning it is not invasive. It grows in a small dense clump of very fine, bluish-green leaves. When mature, it will measure about 25-30 cm (10-12in) in all directions. When in flower, it reaches a height of 70 cm (28in). The foliage is evergreen in winter. In July-August, long, light panicles of florets appear, quickly turning orange and red. The floral stems are also tinged with orange-red to copper tones. Incredibly robust, this grass can withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F) in well-drained soil.

The Festuca 'Sunrise' is a perfect plant for dry gardens and areas where the soil is poor and stony. It is used as ground cover, in low borders, in gravel beds, on slopes, or in rock gardens. It creates stunning contrasts with blue fescues (Intense Blue, Elijah Blue), and remains decorative for a good part of the year. It accompanies flowering and light perennials, such as toadflaxes (Peachy), penstemons, scabious, and annual poppies and Damask nigellas. Plant it also with spring bulbs that it will not suffocate, but whose yellowed foliage it will mask in summer.