• A dense mound of Festuca ovina (Sheep Fescue) with fine, blue-green blades forming a compact, rounded clump. The narrow, wiry leaves radiate outward, creating a tidy, ornamental appearance against a backdrop of dark soil and dried grass.
  • A mature Festuca ovina (Sheep Fescue) plant growing in dry, sandy soil, its thin, bluish-green blades topped with delicate, purple-tinged seed heads. The wispy flowering stems arch outward, giving the plant a light, airy texture in its harsh, open habitat.
1 2

Wild About Flowers

Festuca ovina - Sheep Fescue

Festuca ovina - Sheep Fescue

$5.00 CAD
Product Options

Sheep Fescue is a hardy, drought-tolerant bunchgrass with fine, blue-green leaves that form dense, tufted clumps. Requiring little to no mowing or supplemental watering, it makes an excellent low-maintenance sod lawn replacement, either on its own or as part of a low-care turf mix, creating a soft, lumpy, lawn, when seeded densely. When given space, it can grow up to 12 to 14 inches wide, and its deep root system makes it especially resilient in dry, rocky, or nutrient-poor soils, an ideal choice for those facing outdoor water restrictions.

Thriving in well-drained soils, Sheep Fescues upright, airy seed heads add movement and structure to the landscape. Its dense, clumping growth offers valuable shelter for ground-nesting birds like meadowlarks and sparrows, while its natural allelopathic properties help suppress weed growth. Whether used in xeriscapes, erosion control plantings, as a lawn replacement or as a meadow grass paired with wildflowers, it brings texture, resilience, and ecological value to any low-maintenance landscape. While not immune to browsing, it is not a preferred food source for deer.

Sheep Fescue is also available in larger quantities and is used in some of our grass mixes. These products can be found in our "Native Grass Seed and Mixes" section.

Bloom Times & Plant Sizes

Important Information - The "Bloom Period" is an indicator of the time period within which the wildflowers will bloom and does not describe the time period that a single plant will bloom.  The "Sizes" listed are intended to be a general guideline to consult during plant selection. - Plant growth and bloom times will vary depending on geographical location & individual site conditions.

Edible & Medicinal Info Disclaimer

The Edible & Medicinal information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be acted on without thorough research and professional guidance. We are not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of or misidentification of plants.

View full details

Plant Specifics

Seeds Per Pack

Seeds Per Package: 50

Light Conditions

  • Sun
  • Part Shade

Soil Conditions

  • Well Drained
  • Sandy
  • Gravelly
  • Dry
  • Clay
  • Seasonally Moist

Height

  • Under 12"
  • 12" - 24"

Width

  • Under 12"
  • 12" - 24"

Bloom Colour

  • Purple

Month of Bloom

  • June
  • July

Vigorousness

  • Moderate
  • Fast

Deer Resistance

  • Moderate

Features

  • Birds
  • Attractive Seed Heads
  • Used as Groundcover
  • Urban Spaces
  • Rural Spaces
  • Good in Containers

Chinook Exposure

  • Fully Exposed

Distribution Info

Native to Canada, Sheep Fescue is found across much of the country, with strong populations from BC to NL, and is widely distributed  in north western states in the US. Commonly found in open woodlands, alpine meadows, grasslands, and rocky slopes, this species is particularly well-suited to disturbed or low-fertility sites, making it a valuable component of reclamation and erosion control projects.

Traditional Edible & Medicinal Info

Festuca ovina has no edible or medicinal uses.