1. * Red Fescue – Festuca rubra
(fes-TOO-cuh ROO-bruh )
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
Native to: Much of Northern Hemisphere, where rain is sufficient. In California, north coast and
foothills; in grasslands and forests below 8000 ft.
Growth characteristics: spreading perennial grass mature height: 1-2 ft.
mature width: 2-6 ft.
Cool-season, sod-forming perennial grass that spreads via under-ground rhizomes and stolons.
Some natural variants spread more than others. Nice medium green color; medium-fine texture.
Can be mowed (will spread to form a conventional lawn) or left un-mowed. Un-mowed, it forms a
mounded, lawn-like grass groundcover.
Blooms in spring-summer; usually April-May in our area. Flowers are typical for
Fescue grasses: simple, wind-pollinated flowers on taller stems.
Not the showiest of native
grasses in terms of flowers – but pretty in a natural garden.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a lawn grass – mowed or not. More drought tolerant than
conventional lawn grasses in our area. Green year-round with a little summer water. Does well on
slopes; often used for erosion control. Fine under trees.
Can be combined with sedges and
wildflowers for a natural meadow.
Several cultivars are widely available including Festuca rubra
‘Molate’ which is garden tolerant and makes a nice ‘lumpy lawn’ and ‘Jughandle’ and ‘Patrick’s Point’
which are smaller and more silver-green in color.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native grass lawns and groundcovers.
Attracts: Good bird and insect habitat grass: provides cover, nesting materials and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sum (with summer water); part-shade (morning sun) best in hot gardens
Most local soils
Occasional to regular summer water; Water Zones 2 to 3
Occasional light fertilizer if mowed
Management:
spring/summer.
rejuvenate.
Quite easy to grow from seed. If mowed, mow to 2-3 inches as needed during
May need to be clipped, cut with a string trimmer or mowed occasionally to
Propagation: from seed: sow seed in winter or grow your own plugs from seed.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16
1/2/13
* California native, but not native to western Los Angeles County
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