Potted California Fescue with green grass-like leaves in a garden setting

California Fescue

1 Gallon
$19.90
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Potted California Fescue with green grass-like leaves in a garden setting
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California Fescue

Festuca california

Majestic native bunchgrass for dry shade and meadows.

$19.90
Container sizeSize guide 1 Gallon

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Size, shape and branching naturally vary

Description

California Fescue is a majestic and resilient native bunchgrass that forms striking, fountain-like clumps of fine, arching green foliage. Its graceful, blue-green leaves create a soft, textural presence in the landscape. In early summer, it sends up tall, airy flower stalks that rise well above the foliage, aging to a golden tan and providing seasonal interest. Exceptionally drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it is a cornerstone plant for naturalistic meadows, dry shade under oaks, and sustainable, water-wise landscapes.

  • Majestic Fountain-Like Clump: Forms large, elegant mounds of fine, arching blue-green to gray-green leaves.

  • Tall, Airy Summer Flower Stalks: Produces delicate, upright flower panicles in early summer that persist attractively into fall.

  • Exceptional Drought Tolerance & Shade Adaptability: Once established, it thrives with no summer water and is uniquely tolerant of dry shade, making it ideal under native oaks.

  • California Native & Ecologically Vital: Provides essential habitat and food for birds, butterflies, and other native wildlife.

  • Low-Maintenance & Deer Resistant: Requires no pruning or special care. Simply comb out dead leaves in fall or cut back in late winter.

Quick Facts

Processed facts

  • Mature height: 2–3 ft
  • Mature spread: 3–5 ft
  • Light: Full sun to partial shade

Needs confirmation

  • Features:Foliage: Fine-textured, needle-like, soft green leaves that are upright and smooth, forming a dense fountain-like clump.Flowers: Tall, narrow, upright flower panicles appear in summer, aging to a showy golden-amber color.Habit: Semi-evergreen perennial grass with a graceful, arching fountain form. Sun-loving, cold and drought tolerant, adaptable to poor soils and slightly saline conditions; thrives in dry to semi-dry environments. Often used for erosion control and soil stabilization.
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Key Advantages:Fine-textured, elegant foliage provides year-round structure.Attractive flower panicles that persist into fall.Extremely drought tolerant and low-water once established.Excellent for erosion control on slopes
  • Landscape Uses:Water-wise and xeriscape gardens.Erosion control on banks and slopes.Native plant and meadow gardens.As an accent or mass planting in borders.Coastal and seaside landscapes

Faqs

Q: Can it grow in full sun?
A: Yes, it thrives in full sun to partial shade. In hotter inland areas, some afternoon shade is beneficial. Its unique value is its ability to flourish in the dry shade under trees where few other plants succeed.

Q: How do I keep it looking tidy?
A: In late winter, you can cut the entire clump back to about 6 inches to remove old foliage and make way for fresh spring growth. Alternatively, simply comb through the clump with your hands or a rake to remove dead leaves.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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1 Gallon

1 Gallon

A practical starting size for perennials, grasses, groundcovers, vines and young shrubs. Lightweight, easy to plant and well suited for projects that need multiple plants.

Explore 1 Gallon Plants

Gallon describes the container size, not a guaranteed plant height. Individual plants vary. Contact our nursery for current measurements.

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