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Molate Red Fescue

Molate Red Fescue

FESTUCA rubra 'Molate'

  • Full Sun (6+ hrs) and Partial Sun / Shade (3-6 hrs)
  • High drought resistance
  • Mounding and Tufted
  • Ships as a 4"plant
  • 18"-24"
  • 2'–4'
Regular price $10.99
Regular price Sale price $10.99
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Molate Red Fescue (Festuca rubra Molate) is a versatile and resilient native grass known for its attractive fine-bladed texture and unique silvery-blue tint. This variety functions beautifully as both a clumping bunchgrass or, if planted in groups, a lush "lumpy lawn" alternative. Originally discovered along the California coast, it is prized for its ability to form dense, flowing mounds of soft foliage.

In spring and summer, this grass produces delicate, purple-tinged flower spikelets that rise above the leaves, eventually aging to a warm tan. Because it spreads via underground rhizomes, it is an excellent choice for erosion control on slopes or as a meadow-style groundcover. It is remarkably "climate-proof," showing more drought tolerance and an earlier winter growth start than other fescues. You will receive a healthy 4" plant, perfect for naturalizing your landscape or filling in parking strips and rock gardens.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Lawn Alternative: Can be mowed to a height of 2 inches for a tidy look or left unmowed for a rolling, meadow aesthetic.
  • Silvery-Blue Hue: Offers a more distinct, cool-toned color than standard red fescues, maintaining its beauty year-round.
  • Extreme Resilience: Highly drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and even gopher-resistant once established.
  • Shade Tolerant: One of the few grasses that performs well in both full sun and partial shade, making it ideal for planting under native oaks.
  • Habitat Value: Provides nesting material for birds and attracts butterflies, supporting local biodiversity.

This 4" healthy live plant thrives in full sun near the coast and prefers afternoon shade in hotter inland areas. It is adaptable to various soil types and is exceptionally hardy, standing up to frost and wind with ease. While it is drought-tolerant, it maintains its best appearance with occasional summer water. Molate Red Fescue is the ultimate choice for the gardener who wants a low-maintenance, professional-grade native groundcover in a convenient 4" size.

We use expedited shipping policies to protect plant health and minimize plant stress in transit.  All plants are in transit for only 1-3 days. (This does not guarantee 3-day delivery as orders are not always packed and sent out on the day of your order.) We send out deliveries on a weekly schedule to ensure quick transit times, so your order may not be packaged and shipped until later in the week. For instance, we may hold shipments to avoid weekend delays that keep plants in transit for longer.

All packaging includes eco-friendly material and our shipping methods are tested regularly to ensure plants arrive healthy upon arrival.

Additionally, any delays or damages in shipping are covered by our Healthy Plant Guarantee.

If you're plants arrived damaged, we will happily replace them for free!

Please contact us, send a picture, and detail any damage, so that we can continue to improve our shipping process and make sure you receive the healthy plants you paid for.

Mature Height is 2'–4'

Mature Spread is 18"-24"

Watering: Keep moist

Blooms in:

  • Summer

Special Features:

  • California Native