About Festuca californica Vasey
Festuca californica Vasey is a clumping perennial bunch grass without rhizomes that grows in greenish-gray tufts. It reaches 1.5–4.5 feet (0.46–1.37 m) in height and 1.5–3.5 feet (0.46–1.07 m) in width. Its narrow green-gray leaves can grow up to 2 feet (0.61 m) long. It produces yellow blooms, with peak blooming occurring from March to July. Its inflorescence grows on stems up to 6 feet (180 cm) tall and holds spikelets 1 to 2 centimeters long each. In spring and summer, its flowers form large open sprays. The plant reproduces from seed and buds located at the base of its clump. In cultivation, Festuca californica is grown as an ornamental grass by specialty plant nurseries for planting in traditional gardens, as a potted plant, and for use in drought-tolerant gardens, wildlife gardens, and natural landscaping projects. It is often planted under garden-grown Coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia), as it is a drought-tolerant understory that does not need summer watering — summer watering can endanger these oak trees. Due to its deep and dense root network, it is also planted in landscapes for slope stabilization and erosion control. It must be planted in part shade conditions to meet its light requirements.
