Overview
Festuca pratensis is a compact, tufted grass like in the genus Festuca, part of the Poaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Festuca pratensis grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include borders, containers and edging.
About
Festuca pratensis, commonly known as meadow fescue or peisgwellt y waun, is a compact, tufted grass cultivar within the Festuca genus. This evergreen grass thrives in full sun on south-facing, sheltered sites with well-drained, neutral loam soil. It is hardy in the UK (H6) and is suitable for borders, containers, and edging. Like other Festuca grasses, it features narrow leaves and produces brownish flower clusters in summer. Cultivation involves planting in well-drained soil and cutting back in late winter, with propagation by division or seed.
About the genus
Festuca (fescue) is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the grass family Poaceae. They are evergreen, herbaceous, or perennial, tufted grasses with a height range of 10–200 cm (4–79 in) and a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. The genus is closely related to ryegrass (Lolium), and recent evidence from phylogenetic studies using DNA sequencing of plant mitochondrial DNA shows that the genus lacks monophyly.
Wikipedia contributors, "Festuca", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Festuca
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Festuca
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Festuca pratensis size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Compact, tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Borders, containers, edging
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Festuca pratensis
- Propagation
- Division, seed
- Pest resistance
- Resistant to most pests
- Disease resistance
- Resistant to most diseases
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Festuca pratensis?
Festuca pratensis prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Festuca pratensis need?
Festuca pratensis grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Festuca pratensis hardy in the UK?
Festuca pratensis has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Festuca pratensis?
Division, seed.
