Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
Also known as: Sand Fescue
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Aleutian Is., Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Kuril Is., Labrador, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Sicilia, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Virgin Islands
Kristian Peters -- Fabelfroh 12:31, 9 September 2006 (UTC)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Festuca
- Species:
- Festuca rubra
- USDA Symbol:
- FERU2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Pediasia trisecta, topiary grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia topiaria), Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained, sandy or loamy
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in coastal and temperate grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; surface sow and keep moist.
Pre-treatment: Soak seeds in fresh water for 2 hours and stratify in peat moss and vermiculite for 3 weeks or until seeds begin to germinate.
Establishment: Seeds are collected between May 1st and July 31st. Mature inflorescences and seeds are light brown. The species is found in northern temperate regions of the world and in North America south to Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, and California.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)