(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...

(Tall Fescue)

Fescue ‘Southern Gold’ is a tall fescue turfgrass seed blend developed with varieties to impart heat, drought, insect and brown patch disease resistance for the warmer areas of the transition zone. The tall fescue species are native to Europe. Tall fescue is very popular turf due to good color in the spring and fall and easy of establishment from seed. Though it is a cool-season turf, it is best used in the warmer areas of transition zones and is commonly used to over-seed warm season grasses in...

(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...

(Tall Fescue)

A dense clump-forming perennial, tall fescue is a durable turf grass that grows best in regions with cool to moderate temperatures. It has very dense, soft blades that make it a good lawn grass for playgrounds and athletic fields. Native populations exist in open fields and meadows across Europe and North Temperate Asia. Unlike other turf grasses, it does not spread via rhizomes, so it tidily stays put.

Tall fescue has deep roots that allow it to withstand seasonal drought. It has fine, deep...

(Field Fescue)

Native to southwestern Europe, this fescue species is a densely-clumping perennial with curved, green, narrow leaves. In size and shape it resembles Festuca ovina which many gardeners use as a small ornamental grass in beds and borders. Festuca arvernensis is adapted to hot, dry conditions.

Fescues require full to part sun and can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but most prefer average, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Ornamental species, like the evergreen blue fescue (Festuca glauca)...

(Hard Fescue)

This species is a perennial spreading grass of short stature notable for its long thin leaves. It forms patches, spreading by underground stems. Native to southern Europe, it flowers in summer.

This fescue requires full to part sun and can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but prefers average, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. It can be used in sunny borders, containers or rock gardens and looks best when planted in masses.

(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...