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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Andropogon gerardii Andropogon gerardii
Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum
Sedum Flowers
Festuca amethystina has some common disease problems:
Gray Snow Mold in Turf

Tufted Fescue Festuca amethystina

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
fes-TOO-kah am-eh-thiss-TEE-nah
Description

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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Klose'
    Olive green foliage. Propagate by division.
  • 'Superba'
    Intense blue-silver foliage
'Klose', 'Superba'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#semi-evergreen#colorful leaves#ornamental grass#blue-green leaves#cool season grass#poor soils tolerant#evergreen groundcover#groundcovers that can be mowed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Klose'
    Olive green foliage. Propagate by division.
  • 'Superba'
    Intense blue-silver foliage
'Klose', 'Superba'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#semi-evergreen#colorful leaves#ornamental grass#blue-green leaves#cool season grass#poor soils tolerant#evergreen groundcover#groundcovers that can be mowed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Festuca
    Species:
    amethystina
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and South East Europe to North East Turkey.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Perennial
    Turfgrass
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Creeping
    Dense
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Small green with purple tinge inflorescence is held 2 feet above the foliage in June and July.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Thin hair-like blades that grow in dense fountain-like clumps to 12” tall or more. Color of the grass ranges from blue-green to gray-blue.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stems are slender amethyst colored stalks that rise above the foliage in late spring to early summer.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Short-lived