Corynephorus canescens Spiky Blue - Sand fescue

The Corynephorus canescens Spiky Blue', also known as the Silver Corynephorus, is a small evergreen grass of poor, sandy soils sometimes called Sand Rush. It is interesting for its sea urchin-like appearance and steel blue foliage that turns slightly reddish in summer, complemented by a late summer flowering with white panicles. It is a short-lived perennial plant that self-seeds where it is happy. Resistant to drought and sea spray, this Corynephorus is ideal for coastal areas, green roofs, and natural-style dry gardens.

The Corynephorus canescens Spiky Blue is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the large family of Poaceae. Its wild ancestor is native to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, but it is also found in North America. Its natural habitat consists of sandy or rocky, poor, well-drained soils with a tendency towards acidity or limestone. Its rootstock is described as tufted, meaning it does not have trailing rhizomes and is not invasive. However, its roots help stabilise dunes.

The 'Spiky Blue' cultivar was selected for its particularly bluish foliage. The plant forms a dense shrub with a rounded habit, measuring about 30 cm (12in) in all directions. Its upright culms have violet nodes and bear thread-like, very thin, and erect leaves. They are distinctly rolled, stiff, and rough. The flowering period is from May to July, varying depending on the climate. It takes the form of 40 cm (16in) tall floral stems with white panicles of spikelets.

The Sand Rush Spiky Blue is ideal for coastal areas, especially for stabilising dunes. Rocky and dry soils, as well as slightly arid slopes, are also favourable environments for this resilient grass. It is also highly ornamental as a border plant or in small clusters within larger gravel beds. It can also be trimmed short to create a lawn-like ground cover. It is used in green roofs, often accompanied by Calamagrostis, Stipa tenuifolia, tall sedums, and other grasses.