Festuca idahoensis

Also Known As

Blue Bunchgrass
Idaho Fescue

Plant type

grass / grass like

size

H: 1'
W: 2'

planting zones

3a-8b

More Options

Festuca idahoensis plant details

Festuca idahoensis is an evergreen grass (or grassy in appearance) with blue foliage. In summer cream flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty and rocky soil. A good option if you're seeking something for erosion control and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Festuca idahoensis

Plant type: grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 0 - 2 FT - wide, 0 - 1 FT - tall
Flowers: cream blooms in summer

GROWING CONDITIONS for Festuca idahoensis

USDA Zones: 3a - 8b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer, erosion and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, clay, gritty and rocky

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

One of the two most important bunchgrasses of the Columbia Basin. Cool season bunchgrass.

By: Desert Jewels Nursery

Deer Resistant. Makes a good groundcover for hillsides. Good under native Oaks. Summer-drought tolerant. Hardy to below 0 °F.

By: Cactus Jungle

This evergreen bunchgrass grows to 1 foot tall. With finely textured blue to gray-green leaves which makes for good texture & color contrast in the dry garden. Works well massed on hillsides, parking strips and marginal areas. Plant in a well-drained site in full sun or partial shade. Cut back or mow high in early Spring. Requires occasional dividing to maintain vigorous clumps. Native to California and is also found elsewhere in North America and beyond. Grazed by small mammals and waterfowl. No Historical Uses found. Found in grassland, sagebrush, forest, alpine, and riparian ecosystems. Communitites located in Yellow Pine Forest, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Valley Grassland Between 0 and 5000 feet.