Festuca ovina (Sheep Fescue)
Sheep Fescue
Festuca ovina (Sheep Fescue) is a low-growing, cool season grass forming a densely tufted mound of narrow, stiff, semi-erect, green or gray-green leaves. In late spring to early summer, narrow and dense flowering panicles emerge on stiff, naked stalks, well above the tuft of leaves. Sheep Fescue is slow-growing, most of its growth being produced in the spring and again in the fall, if moisture is available. Summer growth is minimal and dependent on precipitation or irrigation. Native to Europe, this perennial grass has excellent cold tolerance, good drought tolerance, and moderate shade tolerance. It can withstand fire in the autumn, but requires 2 -3 years to fully recover. Long-lived, it does not spread vegetatively by runners, but spreads primarily via seed distribution. It is excellent for stabilization of disturbed soils, erosion and weed control thanks to its extensive root system. Easy to grow and low maintenance, Sheep Fescue performs well as a groundcover and is useful in informal grassland on poor soils.
- Grows up to 12 in. tall (30 cm).
- Performs best in full sun or light shade in sand, loam, dry or moist well-drained soils. This grass is drought tolerant.
- Resistant to common turf diseases. Keep an eye out for grasshoppers.
- Tolerate both regular and close mowing.
- Native to Europe.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Ornamental Grasses |
Plant Family | Festuca - Fescues |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 12" – 18" (30cm – 45cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Uses | Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
Matt Lavin, Flickr, Prambuwesas, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Ornamental Grasses |
Plant Family | Festuca - Fescues |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 12" – 18" (30cm – 45cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Uses | Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |