Festuca ovina - Green Fescue

Tolerant of frequent cutting and likes the heat. It does need regular water in very hot and dry climates but needs very little water elsewhere. One thing this very adaptable plant does not like is high humidity.

Description: cool season; clump forming; evergreen in mild climates
Foliage is greyish to bluish green in colour; blades are narrow; 30cm (12") tall
Flowers are 45cm (18") tall; in May to June

Ideal conditions: full sun to light shade; sandy to medium soil; will grow in poor shallow gravelly soil; soil should be well-drained if moist; will grow in acid to alkaline soil; dry to moist soil

Coldest zone: 4 - 10 (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness)

Partner with: other fescues for contrast; bulbs, Coreopsis, Koeleria

Season of interest: all four seasons in mild climates

Native to: Europe and West and Central Asia, though it is found growing in the wild in many parts of North America.

Suggested uses: lawn, rock garden, drifts or massing

Recommended plant spacing: 30-45cm (12-18") why such a difference?

Drought tolerance rating: 2 (water every 2 weeks); further info

Pronounciation: Festuca (fes-TOO-kah) ovina (oh-VINE-ah)

More ornamental grasses

Compare Festuca ovina to our other grasses in this handy chart.