Festuca altaica, commonly known as Altai fescue, is a perennial bunchgrass native to temperate and cold regions, including the mountains of central Asia, parts of northern Europe, and North America. It forms dense tufts from short rhizomes and typically reaches a height of 12-35 inches. The leaves of Altai fescue are narrow, with a bluish-green coloration and are densely covered with short hairs on the upper surface, which helps to minimize water loss. The inflorescence is a loose, open panicle, and the spikelets range in color from purple to brown, each containing 3 to 6 florets. Altai fescue flowers and sets seed from late spring to early fall, depending on the local climate.

Altai fescue is valued for its hardiness and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it suitable for erosion control and as a low-maintenance ornamental grass in rock gardens and naturalistic plantings. It prefers full sun to light shade and requires well-drained soil, tolerating a range of soil types, including sandy and rocky substrates. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry periods. Altai fescue is not commonly affected by diseases or pests, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a resilient grass species.CC BY-SA 4.0