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Molate Red Fescue

Molate Red Fescue

FESTUCA rubra 'Molate'

For landscaping
Safe delivery guaranteed
Ships as 4"

For landscaping

The Molate Red Fescue plants we currently have in stock are meant to be planted in the ground or a raised garden bed. They may be woody, going deciduous, or simply outgrowing their 4" pots. Got it
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Common Name(s)
Red Fescue
Sunlight
Full Sun (6+ hrs) or Partial Sun / Shade (3-6 hrs)
Perennial Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Watering
Let dry
Max Height
2'–4'
Max Spread
18"-24"
Special Features
California Native
Garden Design Role
Architectural
Bloom Season
Summer
Lifespan
Perennial
Growing Habit
Mounding, Tufted
Drought Resistance
High drought resistance
Bloom Color
Purple
Foliage Color
Green
Stem Color
Green, Purple/Black
Genus
Festuca
Family
Poaceae
Ship Size
4"

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.

Molate Red Fescue