Need help with erosion control? Consider the Idaho Fescue
#NativePlantsofOregon
- Binomial Name: Festuca Idahoensis
- Soil Type: Well drained Moist to dry rocky soil
- Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
- Form/Growth: Clumped grass
- Foliage: Deciduous
- Flowering/Fruiting: Yes, Fruits in the form of grain
The name says Idaho but this native clumping grass spans from British Columbia down to California and as far east as Colorado. Bluish green to silvery foliage they grow in clumps creating tufts of grass on the ground reaching about 14 inches high by almost 12 inches in diameter. The Idaho Fescue is tolerant of winter weather and moist areas as long as they are well drained. There are over 100 types of Fescue of which 30 are native to North America and 15 of those are located in the Pacific Northwest. Fescue makes a great addition to perennial gardens or along steep slopes for erosion control.
This Native Plant of the Month is brought to you by the City of Beaverton’s Landscape and Urban Forestry Department. Visit Clean Water Service’s Native Plant Finder webpage for interactive questions to help you find the right native plant to fit your needs!
