Festuca rubra subsp. commutata

RHS Plant Profile
Chewing's fescue
Grass Like

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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