Festuca saximontana, commonly known as Rocky Mountain Fescue, is an evergreen perennial grass native to alpine and subalpine zones, open woodlands, and grasslands of the Western United States, parts of Canada, excluding Greenland. It typically forms dense tufts reaching 10 to 60 centimeters tall, with a bluish-grey to green coloration. The foliage is fine-textured, and the plant is known for its bunch-forming growth habit without the presence of rhizomes. The inflorescence consists of greenish spikelets, each with three to five florets, and measures 4.5–8.8 mm (0.18–0.35 in) long. Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer, and while the flowers are not particularly showy, they add a subtle charm to the grass’s texture.

Rocky Mountain Fescue is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and naturalized areas. It is also used for erosion control on slopes and in restoration projects. This grass prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade and requires well-drained soils. It is low-maintenance, requiring minimal water once established, and does not typically suffer from serious pest or disease problems. However, it may not perform well in hot, humid climates or in areas with heavy clay soils.CC BY-SA 4.0