Marie's Atlas Fescue

Marie's Atlas Fescue (*Festuca mairei*) forms a broad, arching mound of fine gray-green blades, with airy plumes that rise in early summer. This long-lived ornamental grass gives borders and slopes a dependable mass of foliage without overwhelming nearby plants. ## Site and seasonal interest Give it full sun and well-drained soil; it grows in chalk, loam, or sandy ground. Mature clumps commonly reach about 2–3 feet tall and wide, while broader references give a wider potential range. The foliage is evergreen in mild conditions and may become semi-evergreen through severe winter freezes or extreme summer heat. Tan flower plumes appear in summer. See the [Royal Horticultural Society profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/76506/festuca-mairei/details) and [Boething Treeland growing notes](https://www.boethingtreeland.com/plants/festuca-mairei/). ## Maintenance Water regularly while the plant establishes, then reduce irrigation as its roots settle; mature plants tolerate dry periods. In spring, rake or comb out dead blades to refresh the mound. Routine shearing is generally unnecessary. The species is used for borders and erosion control and is reported drought tolerant once established by the nursery sources above.