{"product_id":"festuca-mairei","title":"Festuca mairei","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eFestuca mairei\u003c\/em\u003e: Golden Spikes on a Fescue Fountain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAtlas fescue is the grass in khaki cargo pants: practical, low-key and ready for anything. Long, fine, grey-green blades arch into a big, relaxed mound with a golden haze of flower spikes above. OFF DUTY BUT FULLY CAPABLE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Characteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eFestuca mairei\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Atlas Fescue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) in flower\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60–90 cm (2–3 ft)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Narrow, bristly spikes, green at first and fading to golden tan. Inconspicuous up close, attractive as a haze over the clump.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early summer to late summer (June to August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, very narrow, grey-green to khaki-green blades in a dense, arching mound\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere to Plant:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it as a specimen in a gravel garden, along a dry slope, or repeated through a sunny border for rhythm and movement. It's large enough to stand in for a small shrub, and its fine texture softens hard edges along walls and walkways. In colder parts of our region, give it a sheltered, sunny spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompanion Plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eHibiscus Summerific® 'Holy Grail'\u003c\/em\u003e adds big red flowers at 120 to 135 cm from July to September, a bold contrast to fine, arching blades. Along the edge, \u003cem\u003eIberis 'Snowflake'\u003c\/em\u003e gives white flowers in May and June. \u003cem\u003eSymphyotrichum novae-angliae\u003c\/em\u003e carries purple asters in August and September. All three suit sun or part sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Loam, sandy or gravelly soils all work, and it doesn't fuss about pH. Avoid spots that stay wet, particularly in winter. Water regularly the first season to establish deep roots, then water only during long dry spells. No fertilizer is needed. In early spring, comb out dead foliage by hand or trim the clump back lightly to tidy it before new growth starts. Avoid shearing it right to the ground. Old clumps can be divided in spring if the centre thins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eFestuca mairei\u003c\/em\u003e comes from dry, open mountain habitats in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, which explains its tolerance of heat, drought and lean soil. It is one of the largest fescues in cultivation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Thoughts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Give it sun and a bit of space, then walk away. IT CARRIES THE WHOLE GARDEN ON ITS SHOULDERS.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ornamental Grasses","offers":[{"title":"1 Gallon Pot \/ 5","offer_id":67822603075862,"sku":"FESTMA01","price":24.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0870\/5366\/4534\/files\/Festucamairei.png?v=1793288973","url":"https:\/\/blacksheepperennials.com\/products\/festuca-mairei","provider":"Black Sheep Perennials","version":"1.0","type":"link"}