Festuca californica

+ Add

Festuca californica

California Fescue

Previous Photo Next Photo

Information by: Jerry Sortomme Photographer:

Description

The California Fescue is a cool season bunchgrass with blue-green blades that reach 2' high. The violet colored flower stalks are 5' tall, appearing in spring and summer, creating fountain-like clumps. This grass is drought tolerant for sun and shade although it looks better with additional summer water. The California fescue is native to CA and is a beneficial insect plant. Plant on dry sunny slopes or on the edge of a dry creek bed.

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass

Height Range

3-6'

Flower Color

Violet

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

Leaf Color

Blue Green

Bark Color

n/a

Fruit Color

n/a

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

Water

Very Low, Extra in Summer

Growth Rate

Moderate

Soil Type

Sandy, Loam

Soil Condition

Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Wild Garden

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Patio, Raised Planter, With Rocks

Special Uses

Container, Erosion Control, Mass Planting

Attracts Wildlife

Wildlife

Water Saving Tip:

Consider replacing some lawn areas with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs.

Good candidates for removal are portions of large lawns, areas where no one uses the grass, patches that don't grow well, or spaces too small to water without overspray.