Back to species databaseGrass / Sedge / Rush

Nodding Fescue

Festuca subverticillata

Photo coming soon
Category
Grass / Sedge / Rush
Sun
Partial to Shade
Soil moisture
Medium to Dry
Bloom time
Jun–Jul
Notes
Cool

About Nodding Fescue

Nodding Fescue is a graceful and delicate woodland grass that brings a soft, airy feel to shaded garden spots. Reaching about 2 to 3 feet in height, this perennial grass is distinguished by its namesake nodding seed heads that dance elegantly in the slightest breeze. It typically blooms from June to July, adding a fine-textured element to the summer landscape. Native to eastern North America, it is most at home in rich mesic forests and dry-mesic woodlands, where it thrives in partial to full shade. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Nodding Fescue provides important forage for various larvae and offers protective cover for small wildlife. It is highly recommended for home landscaping, particularly in woodland gardens or shaded borders where other grasses might struggle. This adaptable species prefers medium to dry-mesic soil and requires very little maintenance once established, making it a perfect addition for those looking to enhance their shaded natural areas.

Native range

Native to 38 states:

AlabamaArkansasConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasVirginiaVermontWisconsinWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Festuca subverticillata

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

Have more questions on Nodding Fescue?

the prairie farm FORUM

Want to grow Nodding Fescue?

Get a Quote