Grass - Festuca glauca Beyond Gold™ ('Amigold')

• Attracts: Birds may be drawn to the seed heads in late summer and fall.
• Wildlife Resistant: Deer and rabbits typically avoid Festuca glauca, making it a good choice for wildlife-prone areas.

• Foliage Season: Evergreen in mild climates, semi-evergreen in colder regions.
• Flowering Season: Late spring to early summer (May to June).
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9

• Rock gardens
• Borders and edging
• Xeriscaping
• Containers
• Mass plantings

• Color: Golden-yellow, fine-textured leaves.
• Form: Narrow, arching blades that form a dense, compact, mounded shape.
• Winter Interest: The bright golden foliage maintains its color throughout winter, providing year-round appeal.

• Color: Light tan to brown flower spikes.
• Form: Fine-textured flower spikes rise above the foliage on slender stems, adding a soft, wispy contrast to the dense foliage.
• Bloom Time: Late spring through early summer.
• Fragrance: Not fragrant.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or early fall when temperatures are cooler.

• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Tolerates poor, sandy, or rocky soils as long as they drain well.

• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as in the nursery pot, with the crown at soil level.

• Spacing: Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for mature growth and prevent overcrowding.

• Timing: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged foliage.
• Method: Trim the foliage back to about 2-3 inches above the ground to encourage fresh growth and maintain a neat appearance.

• Watering Frequency: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, Beyond Gold is highly drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering.

• Soil Moisture: Prefers dry to moderately moist, well-drained soil. Avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.

Full sun for best foliage color and growth. It can tolerate partial shade but may lose some of its vibrant golden hue in low-light conditions.

Harvesting Purpose: Typically grown for ornamental foliage, not for fruit or seed use.

Seed Collection:

• If desired, seeds can be collected after flowering in late summer.
  
• Allow the flower spikelets to fully dry on the plant until they turn tan or straw-colored.
  
• Snip the flower heads and gently shake or rub them to release the small, dry seeds.
  

Use of Harvested Seeds:

• Seeds can be used for propagation, although this cultivar may not come true to type from seed (division is more reliable for true color).
  
• Not commonly harvested commercially due to vegetative propagation preference.

• Fertilization Time: Typically does not require fertilizer, especially in average or poor soils. Over-fertilization can result in weak, floppy growth.
• Fertilizer Type: If needed, apply a light, balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.

• Mulching: Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid thick mulching around the crown to prevent rot.

• Drought Tolerance: Once established, Beyond Gold thrives in dry conditions and is highly drought-tolerant, making it ideal for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.

Pests and Diseases: Generally pest and disease-free, though overly wet conditions can lead to root rot. Ensure good drainage to prevent this issue.

Wind-pollinated; the flowers produce small seeds, which may attract birds in late summer.

• Lavender
• Sedum
• Echinacea (Coneflower)
• Coreopsis