About

Festuca ovina, sheep's fescue, is a native grass common throughout the British Isles forming neat, compact tussocks of short, fine, tightly-inrolled leaves. In late spring and early summer, tight-growing sprays of purple-tinged green flowers appear above the foliage. An important upland plant for sheep grazing, and useful for low-maintenance, naturalistic or meadow plantings.

About the genus

Festuca, the fescues, are a large and varied genus of grasses, ranging from fine-leaved, compact mound-forming alpines to large, arching border grasses. Many have attractively coloured, often blue-green or silver-blue, fine-textured leaves and are grown as ornamental foliage plants in borders, rock gardens and containers.

Growing conditions

Plant details

Care notes