Festuca ovina

The Festuca ovina, more commonly known as Sheep's Fescue, is a small grass found in dry and arid areas of our region, often found in mixtures for short grass meadows intended for dry areas. With a modest appearance, in small tufts of upright thin leaves, this species has the double advantage of being resistant to water scarcity and easily self-seeding in light soils. Its foliage, dormant in winter, is not devoid of charm, just like its lively green flower spikes that turn purple when ripe. Very hardy and remarkably simple, this small plant is pretty in rock gardens and valuable for covering the ground in rocky or sandy terrain.

The Festuca ovina is a small herb from the Poaceae family, very common in Europe where it is found growing in poor soils with an acidic tendency, as well as in rocky soils. It is a clump-forming perennial herbaceous plant, non-invasive, with a short lifespan, like many fescues. When mature, it will reach a height of 20-25 cm (8-10in), with a width of 15 cm (6in). Its leaves are long, narrow, upright, thin, villous, and rough to the touch. They are glaucous green in spring and summer, turning straw yellow in winter. Flowering occurs from May to August, depending on the region. It takes the form of inflorescences measuring 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3in), in light panicles, bearing spikelets initially greenish-yellow, turning purplish-brown, and finally straw yellow in autumn. The seeds form in late summer and are dispersed by the wind, ensuring the species' survival in gardens and in nature.

Very hardy, even below -15°C (5°F), Festuca ovina is a perfect plant for dry gardens and areas with poor, sandy, or rocky soil. It can be used as ground cover, replacing lawns in low-traffic areas, in low borders, or even in rock gardens, spaced to punctuate a space or planted en masse to form a thick and dense carpet. It creates lovely contrasts with blue fescues and remains decorative all year round. In a very contemporary style, you can create small scenes by surrounding your clusters of Sheep's Fescue with light or colored gravel, sand, or even volcanic rock. This will also limit the proliferation of invasive plants.