Atlas fescue

Festuca mairei

Description

The Atlas fescue is a clumping species with bright green foliage that grows into 24-30 in. dia. mounds. Inflorescences develop in late spring and persist into fall, Long and flexible leaf blades are flat, gradually taper to a soft point and turn wheat colored in late fall. Plants turn green again in spring.

It grows well in full sun, on well-drained soils and with regular water throughout the year. Like many other clumping grass species, Atlas fescue should be trimmed each year to make way for a new season of growth.

Plant Type: Grass
Foliage Character: Semi-deciduous
Habit: Symmetrical, Robust, Clumping
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage Color: Light green
Flower Color: Cream
Flower Season: Summer, Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Clay
Exposure Adaptations: Heat, Cold hardy, Aridity, All day sun
Function: Borders, Banks, Slopes, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Small spaces, Parks and open space, Near pools and water features, Mass planting, Grouped, Foliage accent plant, Flowering accent plant, Container plant, Commercial spaces, Civic spaces
Height: 24 in. – 30 in.
Width: 24 in. – 30 in.

Watering Schedule: Low 2

For most situations, we recommend watering deeply every 2 weeks after establishment.

Learn how to apply this watering schedule to your landscape on our How to water waterwise and California native plants page.

Important Notes

These are general guidelines. Always observe and adjust as necessary for your landscape.
If it rains over 1” you will likely not need to water for at least another two weeks. Before watering again, check the soil. It should be significantly dry at least 4” below the soil surface before watering.
To save water, in many cases you can go longer in between waterings during the winter, often up to 3-4 weeks between watering for well-established plants. Two weeks after watering, check the soil approximately 4” below the surface. If it is still significantly moist, you can wait longer before watering again.
In most cases, if you have a “smart timer” or weather sensitive irrigation controller, you may use these features to save some water in in the fall and winter. If you are using automatic weather adjusting functions, continue to allow the timer to run every two weeks. It will adjust the number of minutes it runs to account for the cooler weather.
It is important to group plants with the same water needs together in the landscape to avoid needing to over or under water plants when running your irrigation system.

Plants naturally turn a golden yellow in the heat of summer – this is normal and not a sign that increased irrigation is necessarily needed (S). Atlas fescue stays clean looking without much maintenance. Use a rake to rake out dead leaves if needed in the spring (5). This is a cool season growing grass, so only if needed to clean up the look or reinvigorate, cut back hard in the early fall, just prior to new growth (S). References

Atlas fescue

Description

Watering Schedule: Low 2

Important Notes

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Atlas fescue

Description

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