Plant in full sun to part shade in most any soil and irrigate regularly to occasionally - can take some periods without water but looks best if irrigated. Hardy to 0° F. This plant can be used for a moderate to low water requiring lawn in coastal landscapes where there is not much cross traffic. For a more manicured look it is recommended that it be mowed to 4" tall.

We purchased this plant from Native Sons Nursery as Festuca rubra 'Point Joe' to add a native California complement to our other European clumping fescues (Festuca glauca cultivars). Festuca rubra is a plant that grows naturally along the California coast and the actual location of Point Joe, in Monterey County along the Seventeen Mile Drive, fits well within its range but we have also seen this cultivar listed as Festuca brachyphylla, which is a subalpine plant from the interior Mountain ranges of California. 

The information about Festuca rubra 'Point Joe' that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.

Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.