Festuca vaginata, commonly known as Sheep’s Fescue, is a perennial grass native to open grasslands and rocky outcrops in Central and Eastern Europe. It typically grows to a height and width of 0.5-1 feet (0.2-0.3 meters), forming dense tufts of fine, blue-green foliage. Sheep’s Fescue is a cool-season grass, with a growth rate that peaks in the spring and fall. It is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils.

Sheep’s Fescue is often used in low-maintenance lawns, meadow gardens, and as erosion control on slopes due to its dense, mat-forming habit. It is also utilized in green roof plantings because of its low water requirements and resistance to extreme conditions. This grass is suitable for xeriscaping and can be used to create a naturalistic landscape. It prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of soil types, from sandy to clay. While it does best in full sun, it can also handle part shade. Sheep’s Fescue is generally disease-resistant, but it can suffer from rust in humid conditions. It is not known for aggressive roots or significant pest problems.CC BY-SA 4.0