1. * Arizona Fescue – Festuca arizonica
(fes-TOO-kuh air-ee-ZONE-ee-kuh)
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
S. Nevada east to TX and south to northern Mexico; dry meadows and openings of
mountain forests (Ponderosa & Mixed Evergreen), in gravelly, rocky soil.
Native to:
perennial bunchgrass
mature height: 2-4 ft.
mature width: 2-4 ft.
Cool-season perennial bunchgrass with upright habit and relatively fine texture. Stems are densely
clustered, rather stiff-looking in comparison to other native bunchgrasses. Attractive foliage. Longlived (20+ years even in garden setting). Dense, fibrous roots.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms/fruits:
Blooms spring/summer.
Flowers are small, typical of fescue grasses, on stalks
above the foliage.
Uses in the garden: Excellent choice for slopes and disturbed soils. Nice massed. Attractive as an
accent – ornamental grass.
May inhibit growth of other grasses. Horticultural cultivars: ‘Redondo’
is from New Mexico – very good in dry gardens. Deer don’t eat it much.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native ornamental grasses.
Attracts: Provides cover, seeds and nesting materials for birds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade. Recommend some afternoon shade in hot gardens.
Just about any, including clays, sandy or rocky.
Occasional summer water (Zone 1-2 or 2) once established. Tolerates winter
flooding.
Not needed; organic mulches ok.
Does not tolerate salty conditions.
Requires little maintenance. Gentle rake out dead leaves in fall as needed.
back to 2-4 inches to renew (probably every 3-4 years). Do not mow!
Management:
Propagation: from seed: easy
by divisions:
Cut
yes, in winter
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 10
11/18/08
© Project SOUND