Botanical Name: Festuca punctoria
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Common Name: Prickly Fescue  
Plant photo of: Festuca punctoria
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Water Saving Tip:

Change spray sprinklers to low-flow bubbler or drip systems. Shrubs and trees are ideal candidates for this type of irrigation because the water is applied directly to the root zones.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Broadleaf Evergreen, Ground cover, Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

3-6'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Japanese, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Strip, Patio, Raised Planter, Walkways, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Mass Planting, Lawn Alternative, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Wildlife

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:
  • Description

  • Notes

Uncommon tight clumper from Turkey with dense blue-green leaves (quite blue on older plants) and stiff vertical leaf blades that are pokey when touched. Pale blue, bristly leaves make this an excellent ornamental grass, to only 8" tall in clumps to 8" across. Remains compact and upright, producing 18" spikes of flowers tinted powdery blue turning to tan.
Easy and evergreen in well-drained soil with occasional summer water. Full sun to light shade. This is an excellent plant that does best in gritty well-drained soil in sun. Water well to establish, and then is drought tolerant. Fescues resent wet soils so take care to not over-water; when planting, set the plant so the crown is slightly above soil grade to give it a good start (see Guides). Frost hardy to -20F, USDA Zone 5.