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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 three weeks until the root ball is wet

Sun/Shade Requirements

Shade

Wildlife

Flower Color

No flowers

Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Idaho fescue is common native grass in California and many other western states. Without summer water, they turn brown and scraggly. Even with occasional summer water, Festucas do better shadier areas than in full sun. Miscanthus, another type of grass, does better in full sun, but is larger than Festucas.

PADG notes: The Palo Alto Demonstration Garden is still searching for a grass that is low growing and does well in full sun with limited water.

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