I have 3 different seed-grown Blue Fescues. Parkseed doesn't give theirs a name, Plantation Seed calls theirs 'Select' and Jelitto 'Blue Select.' I truthfully can't tell the difference between them. I have noticed that the multi-seed clumps I grow exhibit differences in color within the clump, so I'm going to start growing single-seed plants, to see if I can select for blue.

That said, Festuca mairei, AKA Atlas Fescue, is my favorite Festuca. Even though it's gray-green instead of blue, I think it's a much more handsome plant than F. glauca. I grew H. sempervirens for the first time this year, and it's a very nice grass so far. Much more blue than F. glauca in it's first year.

That Atlas Fescue is interesting. Much more of a 'field' fescue look. I imagine that mairei can be grown from seed as well.

I too love the Helictotrichon, but like so many others, it doesn't like the humid summers around my area. Maybe I just need to move...lol. JK...lots of great grasses (and native ones) around the gulf coast area.

If you're interested in growing from seed, another to try would be the Festuca scoparia, which I do believe will germinate...hmmm...I better check on that. It is a really fun grass, a little spikey ball looking grass with really striking bright green color. Some are growing the F. scoparia 'Hobbit', which is a nice selection of scoparia.

F. mairei is easy from seed, as is scoparia (gautieri). I grow them both with Jelitto seed. F. scoparia requires more early care, because it is so shallowly rooted. I lost my first batch because their roots didn't get to the 4" deep soaker hose in the nursery bed I had them in. The second batch went into a bed with drip, and they did fine.

I have the same problem you do with Festuca and summer. I've taken to giving them haircuts in mid-summer. They seem to then sit quietly and wait for September, when they flush back out nicely. It's a good way to get rid of the spent seedheads, too.

I must admit that I have been happy with picking out the bluest seedlings that turn up in my gravel path. Even in zone 5 Festuca glauca punks out for me in the heat of summer unless ... it is planted in my driest, sunniest bed. Mulched with gravel it seems content in all seasons.

I love my festuca scoparia ~ grown from seed. It is such a prickly little guy. AND for a couple of years my Festuca mairei was great! Unfortunately it has been taken over by a self-sown Calamagrostis brachytricha. I must look for seed and start a couple of new plants. Thanks for reminding me about that one Donn!

A.

I'm glad to hear I'm not alone in struggling with some plants during hot and humid summer months. I forget that it gets hot elsewhere as well..lol. Especially this past summer!