Plant Type

Ground cover, Grass

 

Height Range

Under 1', 1-3'

 

Flower Color

Green, White

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Blue Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive

Design Styles

English Cottage, Japanese, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Strip, Walkways, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Erosion Control, Filler, Mass Planting, Lawn Alternative, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Wildlife

This Central European native fescue has shiny, dark green foliage that is slightly bluish green. It is a cool season grass that grows up to 8 inches tall and equally wide. If massed together it can become a lawn alternative. It does reseed, so deadhead if you don't want it to spread, though it does not do so aggressively. Clump grows 6 to 12 inches, with seed plume standing up to 12 to 18 inches.

Grow in sun to part shade in well drained soil. Fescues resent wet soils so take care to not over-water; when planting, set the plant so the crown is slightly above soil grade to give it a good start (see Guides). Drought tolerant, though looks better when watered regularly (but not frequently). Because of its re-seeding ways, it is particularly well suited to parkstrips, meadow-like gardens, and alternative lawn areas. Zones 4 - 9.