Festuca rubra subsp. commutata
Chewing's fescue
A densely tufted, perennial grass about 30cm or more tall, forming open clumps of fine, bristly, mid green, hair-like leaves often with red veins. Flower spikes to 30cm tall, are pale brown and produced in summer in clusters of spikelets. Often grown as a dense turf or lawn grass
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted, Clump forming
- Genus
Festuca can be herbaceous or evergreen, rhizomatous grasses with linear, often strikingly coloured, leaves, and dense or lax panicles of brownish flowers in summer
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. See ornamental grasses cultivation advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed from autumn to spring or by division of clumps in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Prairie planting
- Wildflower meadow
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
Pruning
Comb out dead foliage and trim damaged parts of older leaves in spring, for lawns, mow regularly when actively growing
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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