Festuca arundinacea

RHS Plant Profile
tall fescue

Other common names

Dover grass, meadow fescue, meadow fescue grass, tall fescue grass, peisgwellt tal

Synonyms

Festuca elatior

Grass Like

A British native, common throughout the country, forming large and impressive, if somewhat untidy, clumps to 1.5m tall, with relatively broad, flat, semi-evergreen leaves. The fairly narrow, feathery flower sprays have green or purplish panicles. Food plant for several butterfly and moth caterpillars, and the meadow grasshopper

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or 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
Yes
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Tufted
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
Plant Range
Eurasia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Found in rough and grassy places on a wide range of soils, and also grown for hay. Thrives in sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained soil, but deep roots allow it to tolerate both drought and short-term waterlogging

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Banks and slopes

Pruning

Can prune back in late winter to early spring to keep neat

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust