Festuca viridula, commonly known as Green Fescue, is a perennial bunchgrass native to the mountainous regions of western North America, including British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest, and extending to Colorado. It is typically found in high-elevation forests, meadows, and alpine regions, where it forms dense tufts or clumps. Green Fescue can reach up to 3 feet in height, with narrow, rolled leaves that are tough and spikelike, giving it a distinctive texture. The grass produces an erect inflorescence with flat green spikelets during its flowering season, which usually occurs in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy but are an important food source for native wildlife.

Green Fescue is valued for its adaptability to high-altitude garden settings and its ability to thrive in cool climates. It is often used for erosion control, as a ground cover in restoration projects, and as forage for livestock in suitable areas. This grass prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of soil types, from sandy to loamy. It is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance. Green Fescue does best in full sun to partial shade. While it is generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to rust in wet conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0