Water Wise Plants

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Festuca rubra ‘Molate’

Pronunciation

fes-TOO-kah ROO-bra moh-lah-teh

Common Name

Creeping Red Fescue

Plant Type

Grass

Mature Size

12–18 in. high, can be mowed to 1.5–2.5 in., 2–3 ft. wide

Water Requirements

Low: water every three weeks until the root ball is wet

Sun/Shade Requirements

Half sun to shade

Wildlife

Flower Color

Light-colored seedheads on 2–3 ft. stalks

Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Design use: Meadow, or mowed lawn alternative, takes light foot traffic. Deep roots for slope stabilization. Good in masses or mixed with mounding shrubs.

Creeping Red Fescue ‘Molate’ is a clumping grass with lush, long flowing evergreen leaves. Flowers appear in spring and summer, spreads by underground rhizome. This California native fescue is drought tolerant when established and looks best with water in the summer. Plant in winter, can be cut back in summer. Fairly deer resistant. Low maintenance, no fertilizer, can use compost. Cool season grass.

Where to See

Palo Alto Water Wise Demonstration Garden

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