Overview
Festuca amethystina is a tufted grass like in the genus Festuca, part of the Poaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Festuca amethystina grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. It is low maintenance. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, rock garden and gravel garden. It is native to Europe.
About
Festuca amethystina is a perennial grass that develops compact clumps of slender, blue-green leaves that can reach lengths of up to 25 cm. During the summer months, flower stems rise above the foliage, producing small green spikes that exhibit a pink-purple hue, eventually maturing to a buff color as the seeds develop.
About the genus
Festuca consists of rhizomatous grasses that can be either herbaceous or evergreen. These grasses feature narrow leaves, which may display vivid colors, and produce either dense or loose flower clusters that are brownish in hue during the summer months.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Festuca
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Festuca amethystina size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Gravel garden
- Native to
- Europe
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Festuca amethystina
- Cultivation
- Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; see also ornamental grasses cultivation
- Pruning
- No pruning required. Comb out dead foliage in early spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to a rust
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Festuca amethystina?
Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; see also ornamental grasses cultivation.
Where is the best place to plant Festuca amethystina?
Festuca amethystina prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Festuca amethystina need?
Festuca amethystina is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
How do I prune Festuca amethystina?
No pruning required. Comb out dead foliage in early spring.
How big does Festuca amethystina grow?
Festuca amethystina reaches a height of 0.5-1 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Festuca amethystina hardy in the UK?
Festuca amethystina has a UK hardiness rating of H5.
How do I propagate Festuca amethystina?
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring.