Festuca gigantea, or giant fescue, is a plant species in the grass family, Poaceae. Because this and other members of Festuca subgenus Schedonorus have more in common morphologically with members of the genus Lolium than with Festuca and often produce fertile hybrids with other Lolium species, Festuca gigantea has been recently published as Lolium giganteum (L.) Darbysh. (1993) and then as Schedonorus giganteus (L.) Holub (1998). Sources vary as to which placement is more acceptable.
Darnel ryegrass is resistant to disease and generally not susceptible to illnesses. When it comes to care, this plant is fairly low-maintenance. Planted outdoors, it needs only minimal watering, and larger plants typically do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be pruned after they finish blooming. Darnel ryegrass is suitable for anyone with outdoor space, such as a garden or deck, and does not call for extensive care experience.
How to keep Lolium Giganteum.
Light
Darnel ryegrass performs best in full sun, and that light level promotes its vigorous growth. From the seedling stage through maturity, sunny conditions are important. Too little sunlight can cause stunted development and poor health. Excess sunlight may bring on drought stress, although it generally does not cause direct damage.
Temperature
Darnel ryegrass is native to temperate regions and grows best at temperatures between 68 and 95 °F (20 and 35 °C). Seasonal care may include providing shade during the hottest summer months.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Grass
- Life Cycle
- Annual
- Genus
- Lolium
- Family
- Poaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 4-8
- Mature Height
- 91 cm
- Mature Spread
- 20 cm to 40 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Yellow, Green, Purple, Brown
- Flower Size
- 1.02 cm to 1.52 cm
- Bloom Time
- Early summer, Mid summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Late summer, Early fall
- Native Area
- Libya, Egypt, Turkey, India, Austria, United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Slovenia, Morocco, Croatia, Yemen, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Russia, Iraq, Germany, Jordan, Romania, Portugal, France, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Armenia, Greece, Lebanon, Serbia, Afghanistan, Syria, Italy, Kazakhstan, Spain, Switzerland, Israel, Iran, Albania, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Hungary, Kuwait, Turkmenistan
Other names.
