Tufted Fescue Festuca amethystina

Tufted Fescu is an evergreen to semi-evergreen, ornamental, cool season grass with blue-green to blue-silver foliage and rolled and thread-like leaves. This large fescue forms attractive and dense evergreen tufts. Left to its own devices, it will reach 1 1/2 to 2 feet high with a similar width. Above the foliage, small flower spikes emerge in early summer.  The spikes are green, with a pink-purple tint. The genus name is Latin for a grass stalk or straw. The species name means violet-colored.

Tufted Fescu does best in full sun and well drained soil. Initially, regular and consistent watering is best, but once established, it should need little water. It will tolerate light shade, but the foliage color will suffer with shade. It will also tolerate some drought and poor soils. It will not, however, do well in poorly drained soil. Depending on the severity of winter cold, the foliage may retain some color, but clumps will turn brown in harsh winters.

Clumps will die out in the center unless divided and replanted or replaced every 2 to 3 years. You can cut back the foliage in early spring to 3 to 4 inches to rejuvenate the plants and encourage new leaf blades. You can also cut back and rejuvenate the plants if the clumps decline in hot, humid summers. The clumps do spread outward, but at a slow pace, so if use as a groundcover is desired, plant densely at 8 to 10 inches apart. Species plants will self-seed in the garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

This is a short-lived plant that requires frequent division.  It is typically pest free.  Rust may affect this plant. Foliage may decline in hot, humid summers. Wet soil in winter can be very harmful.