Idaho Fescue

Wed, 08/12/2009 - 8:08am — Kathy Ormiston
Festuca idahoensis.JPG
Photo Credit: 
Kathy Ormiston, PADG
Botanical Name: 
Festuca idahoensis
Pronunciation: 
(fess-TOO-kah eye-duh-ho-EN-sis)
Common Name: 
Idaho Fescue
Plant Type: 
Grass
Mature Size: 
1 ft. to 2 ft. tall and wide
Water Requirements: 
Low: water every 3 weeks until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements: 
Shade

Idaho fescue is common native grass in California and many other western states. We have planted a number of Festucas, including Idaho fescue, in full sun and they look brown and scraggly during the summer months. Festucas seem to perform much better in dry shade. In the Palo Alto Demonstration Garden we are in the process of removing Festucas from sunny areas of the garden and transplanting them to shadier spots when we have room.

Miscanthus, another type of grass, does better in full sun. It is not a perfect substitute for Festucas because of its larger size. The Palo Alto Demonstration Garden is still searching for a grass that is low growing and does well in full sun with limited water.