Festuca mairei - Atlas Fescue

This mid-size bunch grass (but a giant among fescues) is native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Hardy enough to survive the winters, it will also do well in the warmer regions, where it can remain green all winter. Festuca mairei never needs to be cut back. Just spend 60 seconds each Spring combing out the old foliage - that is all that is needed for this grass!

A gentle raking in the Spring takes care of the old foliage. The grey-green foliage is graced with tall slender panicles by mid-June.

A bit slow to establish, this is an architectural grass of great beauty and longevity.

Description: cool season; clump forming
Foliage medium green in colour; medium blade width; 75-100 cm (30-40") in height
Flowers in June; 100-125 cm (40-50") tall

Ideal conditions: full sun or part shade; moist, well-drained soil; drought and heat tolerant once established

Coldest zone: 4 (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness)

Partner with: Rudbeckia, Achillea

Season of interest: year-round in milder climates

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

Drought tolerance rating: 2 (water to root depth once every 2 weeks); further info

Pronounciation: Festuca (fes-TOO-kah) mairei (MAY-ree-eye)

More ornamental grasses

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