Hard Fescue
Festuca trachyphylla
- Native to:
- Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland
iNaturalist: © plnt_nerd (iNaturalist #283639038)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Festuca
- Species:
- Festuca trachyphylla
- USDA Symbol:
- FEBR7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 75 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- green
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Great Basin fritillary (Speyeria egleis), Nevada skipper (Hesperia nevada)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal crown following fire; tolerates periodic burning typical of grassland management.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in open, sunny areas with minimal competition
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily at 60-70°F without pretreatment. Light improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI