Types of Chewings Fescue Grass

Drought Tolerant Varieties

• The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program's 1998 Fineleaf Fescue Test determined which of 23 tested Chewings fescue varieties were best able to regain color during droughts and recover well after extended drought periods. These drought-tolerant varieties include Ambassador, Ambrose, Banner III, Bridgeport, Brittany, Culombra, Intrigue, Jamestown II, Longfellow, Magic, Shadow II, SR5100 and Treasure.

Dollar Spot Resistant Varieties

• In 2005 the NTEP Fineleaf Fescue Test determined that the following varieties demonstrated resistance to dollar spot, a turf disease caused by a fungal pathogen: Ambassador, Cascade, Compass, DP 77-9885, IS-FRC-17, Longfellow II, PST-4TZ, 7 Seas, SR5130 and Zodiac.

Repairing Bare Spots

• Joe Julian, an extension agent at Colorado State University, recommends a mixture of fescues, perennial ryegrass and annual ryegrass for re-seeding bare spots. The Chewings varieties he mentions for reseeding bare spots are Atlanta, Banner, Mary, Shadow and Waldorf.

Recommended Varieties

• The Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends Chewings fescue varieties best suited, according to research, for general use in low-maintenance areas requiring partial to full shade. These recommended varieties include Longfellow II, SR5130 and 7 Seas. Additionally, the extension names "promising" varieties based upon limited performance data or availability of certified seeds. Promising varieties are Lacrosse and Zodiac.