Festuca rubra 'Point Joe' (Point Joe Fescue) - A small native California bunch grass to 6 inches tall clumping to 2 feet wide with very attractive narrow chalky-blue leaf blades. In spring into summer appear the 18-inch-tall stalks bearing wheat-colored flowers.
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' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |