Festuca idahoensis 'Joseph' - Joseph's Idaho Fescue

We are very pleased to offer this variety of Idaho fescue. The strong blue-green colour sets it apart from the more electric blue of Festuca idahoensis 'Siskiyou Blue', yet 'Joseph' is more ornamental than the common green varieties. When you combine this unique colour with the form, it is truly a beautiful Western native.

Like many of the grasses of the arid West, Idaho fescue will take a few seasons to take hold, but once established, a mature stand of F. 'Joseph' is very durable.

This fescue, like all fescues, is well behaved in the border and looks great massed or in large drifts. Be sure to leave enough room to allow for air movement between plants.

Note: the larger fescues, because of their fibrous roots, tend to suppress the growth of plants in close proximity, so do not crowd the plants.

Description: cool season; clump forming
Foliage - gray-green, 60 cm (24")
Flowers - June; 75-90 cm (30-36") tall
Form - more erect leaves than the species, and flowers are more upright

Ideal conditions: open sunny areas with occasional water; will grow in a wide range of conditions (including poor soil), if the soil is well-drained. Excessive moisture and especially fertilizer can be harmful

Coldest zone: 3 - 9 (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness)

Partner with: Sedum 'Weihenstephaner Gold', Artemesia 'Morris Strain', Festuca 'Siskiyou Blue'

Suggested uses: border, massed, drifts

Season of interest: year-round in warmer climates

Plant and divide: late spring to early summer

Recommended plant spacing: 50-90 cm (20-36") why such a difference?

Drought tolerance rating: 1 (water to root depth once every month) further info

Pronounciation: Festuca (fes-TOO-kah) idahoensis (eye-da-hoh-EN-sis)

More ornamental grasses

Compare Festuca idahoensis to our other grasses in this handy chart.