Festuca rubra 'Molate' – Red Fescue

Festuca rubra 'Molate' – Red Fescue

A versatile California native grass that excels as a lawn alternative, meadow grass, or naturalistic groundcover. 'Molate' forms a semi-evergreen to evergreen clumping and spreading mat of fine-textured foliage, with purple-tinged spikelets adding seasonal interest in spring and summer. Drought, deer, and coast tolerant, it adapts to sun, part shade, and even shade, making it one of the most flexible native grasses available for low-maintenance landscapes and slopes.

Key Features:

• Semi-evergreen to evergreen perennial grass; California native
• Drought, deer, and coast tolerant
• Can be grown as lawn or meadow grass
• Clumping and spreading habit; excellent groundcover
• Purple-tinged spikelets spring through summer
• Attracts butterflies
• Tolerates sun, part shade, and shade
• Excellent for ground cover, rock gardens, and slopes

Growing Details:
Height: 1–3’ | Spread: 1–2’+
Exposure: Sun to Shade | Water: Moderate/Dry
Bloom time: Spring–Summer | Bloom color: Purple-tinged spikelets
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9