Volga Fescue
Festuca valesiaca
- Native to:
- Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, Nepal, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Sdjurovic
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Festuca
- Species:
- Festuca valesiaca
- USDA Symbol:
- FEVA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from base after fire; typical of bunch grasses adapted to periodic burning in steppe habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- dry, rocky, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at cool temperatures around 15-20°C. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. If no germination in 3 months, try 4C 1-2 months, then 20C again.