In the last year I planted hard fescue seed in a strip on the north side of our house and under a pair of trees where we hang a hammock. It has a great look when allowed to "weep," and of course, needs no mowing. (We keep it in low- or non-traffic areas.)

I'm toying with the idea of replacing all of the wood chips in our tropicalesque garden with hard fescue, under the theory that the tall weeping grass will (a) give a more lush look to the garden, (b) help shade the ground (preventing water loss) and (c) may also provide some degree of insulation / winter protection for the other plants in the garden. (I had planted hard fescue seed in the garden before, but didn't remove the wood chips. As a result, the fescue couldn't grow through. Live and learn.)

Has anyone tried this, or are there problems I should look out for?