Festuca idahoensis (Idaho Fescue)

Festuca idahoensis (Idaho Fescue) is a small, evergreen clumping grass forming a densely tufted mound of stiff, short, very narrow leaves, often of a beautiful blue-green to silver-blue color. From mid-spring to mid-summer, spikelets borne in narrow clusters emerge on stiff stalks, well above the tuft of leaves, and produce large awned fruits. Native from British Columbia to Alberta, south to central California and Colorado, this cool-season grass is longer lived than Festuca glauca and its clumps are less likely to die out in the center. It is drought tolerant and excellent for erosion control. Its striking foliage also provides texture and color contrast in the water-wise garden. Idaho Fescue is an important native forage grass for wild and domestic animals.

• Grows up to 14 in. tall (35 cm) and 10 in. wide (25 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in sand, loam and clay, well-drained soils. Water once per month in summer after the plant is established. This grass is drought tolerant.
• Generally pest and disease free, it requires very little maintenance. Can be mowed after flowering to remove the flowers (not the leaves). Deer resistant.
• This is a great candidate for beds and borders, banks and slopes (for erosion control) or as a groundcover.
• Propagate by seed. No treatment necessary.
• Native to western North America.