Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri (Roemer's Fescue)

Plant Description: A densely tufted cool season bunch grass with a bluish gray green color. Leaves are basal and grow from 3-7 in long, very finely textured and sometimes covered with a waxy whitish coating. Panicle (seed head) is more open than that of the Idaho fescue; the stem can vary in color from green to purple to red. 

• Height: 14-29"
• Watering needs: Dry to very dry
• Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
• Soil needs: Medium to fine textured soil, shallow to bedrock
• Bloom Time: May-June 

Landscape Use and Ecological Function: This Willamette Valley native has a more limited habitat than its close relative Idaho fescue. Roemer’s fescue occurs only west of the Cascades from Southern British Columbia south to Northern California. It is found in dry habitats such as rangeland prairies and in moist upland sites. Elevation is from sea level to approximately 2500 ft.

We recommend growing this plant in meadowscape environments. Roemer’s fescue is an important native grass for restoration within its natural range of Western Oregon, Western Washington, and Northwest California. This was once the dominant grass in the prairies in the Willamette Valley - while uncommon or even rare due to habitat loss, it is still dominant in some remnant prairies. Non-aggressive when planted near other perennial plants.

*2nd photo by SevenOaks Nursery*