Carried by 39 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) is an elegant, long-lived perennial bunchgrass native to western North America. In California, it thrives in the Sierra foothills and Coast Ranges, growing in dense clumps with soft, fine-textured blades. Its deep root system helps it withstand dry conditions and supports beneficial soil fungi.
This versatile grass is an excellent choice for planting under oaks and pairs beautifully with ferns, Heuchera, and hummingbird sage. It provides valuable forage for wildlife while adding texture and color contrast to the landscape.
Grass
1 - 3 ft Tall
6 in Wide
Upright, Fountain
Moderate
None
Yellow, Cream
Summer
Containers, Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Very Low
Max 1x / month once established
Easy
Tolerates cold to -10° F
Fast, Medium, Slow
Adaptable, tolerant of sand, loam and clay.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0
You may mow this grass after it flowers, being careful to mow high and remove only the flower stalks, not the leaves.
For propagating by seed: No treatment.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 10, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Dry, open savannahs, clearings in chaparral
Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest
Use with geophytes such as Mariposa Lily (Calochortus spp.), Sisyrinchium bellum, Dudleya caespitosa, Sedum spathulifolium, Achillea millefolium. Typical native-grass associates in the far west coastal prairies are California Oatgrass, Tufted Hairgrass and Purple Needlegrass.
Butterflies and moths supported
3 confirmed and 7 likely
Lindsey's Skipper
Hesperia lindseyi
Sandhill Skipper
Polites sabuleti
Sonora Skipper
Polites sonora
Snowy-veined Apamea Moth
Apamea niveivenosa