What's eating my golden fescue?

Golden fescue (Festuca glauca 'Golden Toupee') has few significant pest problems. Slugs and snails chew leaf tips in damp weather, and vine weevil grubs can destroy roots in containers. Rabbits graze clumps in open gardens. The ornamental blades also attract leatherjacket feeding in lawns. Overall pest pressure is low on established plants.

Chewed and ragged leaf tips on young foliage; most damaging to newly planted or divided clumps in moist, shaded sites Scatter iron phosphate slug pellets; top-dress with fine grit — fescues prefer sharp drainage which also deters slugs; handpick at night

C-shaped grubs in compost eat roots; plants suddenly wilt, turn yellow, and can be lifted without resistance; worst in containers Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes to moist potting mix in August–October; use vine weevil-specific drench insecticide for serious infestations

Neat grazing of foliage close to soil level, leaving stubby crowns; worst in winter and early spring when other food is limited Wire mesh guards around clumps; rabbit repellent spray applied regularly; fence garden perimeter where pressure is high