About
A densely tufted, perennial grass about 30cm or more tall, forming open clumps of fine, bristly, mid green, hair-like leaves often with red veins. Flower spikes to 30cm tall, are pale brown and produced in summer in clusters of spikelets. Often grown as a dense turf or lawn grass.
About the genus
Festuca can be herbaceous or evergreen, rhizomatous grasses with linear, often strikingly coloured, leaves, and dense or lax panicles of brownish flowers in summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitTufted, Clump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Prairie planting, Wildflower meadow
Care notes
CultivationGrow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. See ornamental grasses cultivation advice
PruningComb out dead foliage and trim damaged parts of older leaves in spring, for lawns, mow regularly when actively growing
PropagationPropagate by seed from autumn to spring or by division of clumps in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free