Plant Database
Atlas Fescue, Maire's Fescue
Festuca mairei
Festuca mairei, commonly known as Atlas Fescue or Maire's Fescue, is a robust, semi-evergreen grass prized for its large, fountain-like form, fine-textured foliage, and tall, airy flower heads. Native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, this cool-season bunchgrass forms a dense, upright to arching clump of narrow, olive-green to yellow-gray-green leaves that provide year-round texture. In late spring through summer, it produces tall, slender flower stalks rising well above the foliage, bearing delicate, airy panicles that transition from gray-green to warm amber and buff tones, extending ornamental interest into fall. Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, heat tolerant, and adaptable to a range of well-drained soils, it is an outstanding choice for mass plantings, slopes, meadows, borders, rock gardens, and as a bold accent in water-wise and Mediterranean landscapes.