Festuca ovina seed

LATIN NAME: FESTUCA OVINA

COMMON NAME: Sheep Fescue

The sheep fescue tufts the dense, fine-leaved, clumping grass with the very narrow, hair-like, green to blue-grey leaves that form the neat, rounded tussocks and the slender, nodding flower heads that open through the early summer, the tufts spreading across the dry ground, the small grains following. The grass stands the cold, the dry spells and the poor soil well, and it likes the sun, and the light, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The fine leaves of the sheep fescue give it a recognised place in the research on the dryland turf grasses of the grass family, and the ovina species appears in the studies of the low-maintenance sward and the drought physiology. The work looks at the dense tussock build, the soil-binding roots, and the seed biology. The turf scientists value the natural sward, and the growers of the naturalistic and meadow lawns keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the dry, sunny lawn and the meadow, the sheep fescue tufts the dry bank with the fine green blades. The tussocks make the soft, natural sward, the roots hold the loose ground, and the grass feeds the sheep and the wildlife for the ages. It grows well in the light, well-drained, sunny ground. Fine-leaved, low-care and drought-proof.

To grow the Sheep Fescue from seed, scatter the fine seeds over the surface of the gritty compost, then press them in, keep the pan bright and just-moist, and the seedlings come through within a week or two.

Keep the pan bright and just-moist, and pot the seedlings on as they grow. The tufted turf comes within the season. Let the young tussocks spread over the sunny, light ground, and the tufted turf will knit through the season.

FESTUCA ovina Seeds
Sheeps Fescue
Other common names: Green Grass
Family: Poaceae
Characteristics: Clumping grass 30-50 cm
Description
A very attractive ornamental densely tufted grass with short greyish-green leaves to 30 cm. The inflorescence is fairly flat and slightly feathery. It flowers from May until June in its native environment. Suitable for rock gardens, borders and ground cover.
The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.
Well suited to poor shallow soils from low to high altitudes and will grow in dry or moist soil in full sun or part shade. Prefers a well-drained light sandy or medium loamy soil and is drought tolerant.