Atlas Fescue (Festuca mairei) | Drought-Tolerant Fountain Grass

Atlas Fescue, Maire's Fescue

1 Gallon

$16.00

$16.00 $0.00

Atlas Fescue, Maire's Fescue

Festuca mairei

A robust, drought-tolerant grass with a large, fountain-like form, fine-textured olive-green foliage, and tall, airy amber flower heads.

$16.00

$16.00 $0.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Festuca mairei, commonly known as Atlas Fescue or Maire's Fescue, is a robust, semi-evergreen grass prized for its large, fountain-like form, fine-textured foliage, and tall, airy flower heads. Native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, this cool-season bunchgrass forms a dense, upright to arching clump of narrow, olive-green to yellow-gray-green leaves that provide year-round texture. In late spring through summer, it produces tall, slender flower stalks rising well above the foliage, bearing delicate, airy panicles that transition from gray-green to warm amber and buff tones, extending ornamental interest into fall. Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, heat tolerant, and adaptable to a range of well-drained soils, it is an outstanding choice for mass plantings, slopes, meadows, borders, rock gardens, and as a bold accent in water-wise and Mediterranean landscapes.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Large, fountain-like, dense clump of narrow, arching, olive-green to yellow-gray-green leaves; tall, slender, airy flower stalks with gray-green to amber-buff panicles, blooming in late spring through summer .
Mature Height: 24-36 inches (2-3 ft)
Mature Spread: 24-36 inches (2-3 ft)
Growth Rate: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: USDA 4-10 ; Sunset 2-11, 14-24
Light Requirement: Full sun (essential for best form and flowering)
Core Benefits: Large, fountain-like form, fine-textured foliage, tall airy flower heads, exceptionally drought tolerant, heat tolerant, adaptable to various well-drained soils.
Best Uses: Mass plantings, slopes (erosion control), meadows, borders, rock gardens, water-wise landscapes, Mediterranean gardens, large containers, accent specimens.

Q: How large does Atlas Fescue get?
A: It forms a large, fountain-like clump, typically reaching 2-3 feet in both height and spread, with flower stalks rising above the foliage.

Q: Is it drought tolerant?
A: Yes, once established, it is exceptionally drought and heat tolerant. Water regularly during its first year, then little to no supplemental water is needed. It thrives in well-drained soils.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: For the best form and most abundant flowering, plant in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily). It will not perform well in shade.

Q: Is it evergreen?
A: It is semi-evergreen, retaining much of its foliage in mild winters but may go dormant in colder climates.

Q: Is it a cool-season grass?
A: Yes, it is a cool-season grass, meaning its main growth occurs in spring and fall. It may go partially dormant in hot summer conditions but will green up again when cooler weather returns.

Q: How does it compare to Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)?
A: Atlas Fescue is much larger (2-3 ft vs. 6-12 inches), has olive-green to yellow-gray-green foliage (vs. blue-gray), and produces taller, airier flower heads. It is also more heat and drought tolerant.