Festuca altissima
Festuca altissima · Poaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant festuca altissima: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to July
- Adult size
- 80 to 120 cm in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Central and northern Europe
- Soil type
- Fresh, well-drained soils, rich in organic matter
Care
Exposure
Festuca altissima thrives in partial shade to full shade, unlike many ornamental grasses. It also tolerates full sun exposure if the soil remains fresh. Place it under tree cover or at the edge of a wooded area for best results.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year of establishment to develop a robust root system. Once established, this fescue appreciates fresh but not waterlogged soil. During prolonged dry spells, weekly watering maintains the vitality of the foliage.
Soil
This grass prefers soil rich in organic matter and well-drained. Amend the soil at planting with compost or heather soil. It accepts slightly acidic to neutral soils and adapts to some textural variability.
Pruning and maintenance
Cut back the dried culms at the end of winter (February-March), before growth restarts. Use secateurs or a brush cutter to cut the plant back to 5-10 cm from the ground. Cleaning dead leaves in autumn limits fungal diseases.
Fertilizing
A moderate application of balanced fertilizer in spring is generally sufficient. Favor an application of organic matter (compost) on the surface to feed the plant gradually. Avoid excess nitrogen which would weaken the stem structure.
Diseases and pests
Festuca altissima is little susceptible to diseases if drainage and aeration conditions are good. In case of prolonged excessive moisture, rusts or leaf spots may appear. Ensure good spacing between plants and maintain foliage hygiene by removing dead parts.
Did you know?
Festuca altissima is called giant fescue or tall fescue because of its remarkable size among shade-loving fescues. It thrives naturally in Eurasian forests and has long been overlooked by modern gardeners, although it was known and used since antiquity for its excellent forage qualities and soil coverage in shaded environments.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Tufted hair grassDeschampsia cespitosa
- Wavy hair-grassAvenella flexuosa
- Purple moor-grassMolinia caerulea
- Reed canary-grassPhalaris arundinacea
- Common quaking grassBriza media
- Creeping soft-grassHolcus mollis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.