Festuca ovina. Sheep Fescue is a perennial grass that forms dense tufts of greyish green, bristle-like leaves. It thrives in well drained, poor soil because it forms a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi, through which it gathers moisture, minerals, and nutrients. These in turn become available to nearby plants, which has the effect of increasing the overall soil fertility and introducing other plant species. This grass is an important food plant to a number of moths and butterflies. It flowers from May to June, and it has no rhizomes, so each plant stays where it is planted.
For new turf, broadcast 4 - 5 lbs of seed per 1,000 square feet, or 160 - 200 lbs per acre.
Cloud Grass, a species of bentgrass, forms a diaphanous hazy mist in late summer when its delicate, tiny flowers spread out in all directions. It is useful to know some tips on how to grow cloud grass.
General
Annual
Latin
Agrostis nebulosa
Family: Poaceae
Difficulty
Easy
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Zone: 3-9
Timing
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before planting out. Or direct sow in early spring, when soil is cool and a light frost is still possible. It can also be planted in late autumn.
Starting
Just cover the small seeds. At a temperature of 10-12°C (50-55°F) seeds should germinate in 21 to 25 days.
Growing
Transplant after last frost into average, well drained soil. Space plants 15-20cm (6-8″) apart. Feed regularly and don’t let the soil become completely dry. Keep an eye on the flowering stage and cut the stems for drying before the seeds set in order to prevent self-sowing. The flower stems are spectacular when dried and will last for months. Cut them and hang them upside-down in a dark, airy place until fully dried.
