(Long-spined Barrel Cactus, Straight Spine Barrel)

One of the showiest barrel cacti, this species long and colorful spines are wickedly intimidating but beautiful. The long-spined barrel cactus is a slow-growing, succulent evergreen perennial that's native to the coastal cliffs in Mexico's Baja California. When young, it is globe-shaped, but will become a stout cylinder after many decades (as tall as an adult man). Some botanists regard it as a subspecies of Emory's barrel cactus (Ferocactus emoryi).

This cactus has 15 to 21 vertical...

(Arizona Candy Barrel Cactus, Compass Barrel Cactus, Fishhook Barrel Cactus)

Often called fishhook cactus for the shape of its formidable spines, this small barrel cactus from the American Southwest and northwestern Mexico occurs naturally on gravelly or sandy soils. Dome-shaped when young, it gradually develops into a cylindrical "barrel" with numerous ribs lined with clusters of fearsome spines. Mature plants typically reach waist to shoulder height. Plants lean toward the equator, orienting their vertical axis to avoid direct sun rays in the height of summer. The largest...

(Amethystina Fescue)

Tufted fescue is a perennial, ornamental grass with intense blue-green color. It is short, clumping and native to central and eastern Europe including the Alps. Leaves are very fine in texture, linear to thread shaped and furrowed at the base. The flowers are produced on flexible, zigzag branched spikelets and are purplish in color. The flower spikes are held well above the foliage and produced in summer.

Tufted fescue is a cool-season grass and can be short-lived. It prefers full sun to part sun...

(Blue Fescue)

Forming low bristling domes of showy evergreen foliage, this clumping, cool-season grass hails from Europe. It slowly forms a rounded hummock of somewhat stiff, fine-textured leaves that are usually blue- or gray-green, with some forms approaching silver. Their texture contrasts beautifully with that of coarse leaves and large stones. In midsummer this little blue fescue bears plumy clusters of fine beige to gray, purple-tinted flowers on erect stems. They create a soft and breezy look. Some gardeners...

(Blue Fescue)

Versatile and pretty, blue fescue is an evergreen ornamental bunch grass that originates from North Temperate regions across the globe. It is best known for its dense bunches of fine, erect blades that are blue-green to gray-green, depending on the selection. In the summer it puts forth drooping panicles of grassy flowers from upright stems.

For best growth, plant blue fescue in full sun and average soil with very good drainage. It is drought tolerant once established and may suffer from root...

(Blue Fescue, Blue Silver Fescue)

Versatile and pretty, 'Blue Silver' is an evergreen ornamental bunch grass known for its neat mounded habit of medium height and fine blades of intense silver blue-green. In the summer it puts forth erect stems of blue-green grassy flowers that mature to a soft tan color.

For best growth, plant blue fescue in full sun and average soil with very good drainage. It is drought tolerant once established and may suffer from root rot if subjected to too much moisture, particularly in winter. Central...

(Blue Fescue, Boulder Blue Fescue)

Versatile and pretty, blue fescue is an evergreen ornamental bunch grass that originates from North Temperate regions across the globe. The cultivar 'Boulder Blue' is a large selection known for its fine, upright blades of intense blue-gray. In the summer it puts forth erect stems of blue-green grassy flowers that mature to a soft tan color.

For best growth, plant blue fescue in full sun and average soil with very good drainage. It is drought tolerant once established and may suffer from root...

(Blue Fescue, Festina Blue Fescue)

Versatile and pretty, 'Festina' is an improved variety of blue fescue. It is an evergreen ornamental bunch grass known for its neat mounded habit of medium height and fine blades of blue-green with flecks of silver. In the late summer through fall it puts forth erect stems of pale green grassy flowers that mature to a soft tan color.

For best growth, plant blue fescue in full sun and average soil with very good drainage. It is drought tolerant once established and may suffer from root rot if...

(Blue Fescue, Golden Toupee Fescue)

Versatile and pretty, 'Golden Toupee' is a dwarf variety of blue fescue. It is an evergreen ornamental bunch grass known for its neat mounded habit of low height and fine, pointed blades of chartreuse verses the stand blue green of blue fescue. In the early summer it puts forth erect stems of pale green grassy flowers that mature to a straw color.

For best growth, plant blue fescue in full sun and average soil with very good drainage. It is drought tolerant once established, but short-lived...

(Sheep Fescue)

Sheep fescue is a perennial, tufted grass used both as ornament and lawn grass. It is native to the cool, western areas of North America and introduced to Europe and Asia. The leaves are fine in texture, linear to thread shaped, blue green in color and rough to the touch. The flowers are produced on narrow, branched spikelets and are green in color. The flower spikes are held well above the foliage and produced in summer.

Sheep fescue is a cool-season grass and can be short-lived. It prefers full...