Festuca gigantea - Giant Fescue

Giant fescue is an excellent choice for the woodland garden and easy to use with shade loving perennials.

Unlike the fine-leaved fescues, this woodland gem has wide green leaves. You couldn't do better than a large stand of Brachen ferns in front of a long line of Festuca gigantea. Just add some Pycnanthemum to give a focal point.

Muriel's note: This grass has wide and shiny leaves, making the foliage very attractive. However it self-seeds prolifically, so cut the seedheads off early or be prepared to pull a lot of seedlings.

Description: cool season; clump forming
Foliage - bright green in colour and twisted with dull green on top and shiny underneath; 15-20mm (1/2-3/4") wide; 90 cm (3') tall
Flowers - 120 cm (4') tall; in July-August; arching over when mature; bright yellow in colour

Ideal conditions: best in shady areas, where it is very drought tolerant; in sun it requires damp soil; does well in a wide range of soils, including very poor to humus-rich; soil needs to be well-drained

Coldest Zone: 4 (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness)

Partner with: Pycnanthemum muticum, Molinia arundinacea, Valeriana, Persicaria polymorpha, Stipa brachytricha, Brunnera, hostas and ferns

Season of interest: year round in mild climates, as it is semi-evergreen

Native to: Europe and West and Central Asia

Suggested uses: specimen; container; massing; groups; sunny border (with ample moisture); partly shaded border

Recommended plant spacing: 75-120 cm (30-48") why such a difference?

Drought tolerance rating: 2 - in shade (water to root depth once every 2 weeks); further info

Pronounciation: Festuca (fes-TOO-kah) gigantea (ji-GAN-tee-ah)

Sizes available: gallon-size field clumps     Canadian price list   ||   US price list

More ornamental grasses

Compare Festuca gigantea to our other grasses in this handy chart.