Fescue Species

Tall Fescue

• Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) forms short rhizomes that give it a bunch-type growth habit. This highly adaptable grass prefers rich, moist, acidic soils in full sun or light shade. It will tolerate wet, dry, or infertile soil. Its flat, coarse blades withstand moderate traffic. The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service recommends broadcasting tall fescue seeds every two years to maintain dense, even lawn growth.

Hard Fescue

• According to the Colorado State University Extension, hard fescue (Festuca longifolia) tolerates heat better than other fine fescue species. However, it grows best in dry, acidic, low-nitrogen soil in partial shade. This bunch-type grass has blue-green leaves that form a dense, low-maintenance turf. Its extensive root system helps to control erosion.

Chewings Fescue

• Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra commutata) has dark green, thin blades which form a dense turf. This bunch-type grass prefers acidic, infertile soil in a partially shaded location. It does not tolerate temperature extremes, full sun exposure, or wet soil. Its name originates from George Chewings, who discovered the seeds in New Zealand in the late 19th century.

Blue Fescue

• Blue fescue, also known as sheep fescue, is a bunch-type fescue that grows as an ornamental grass. Its bluish-gray leaves grow up to 6 to 18 inches tall, and it produces small inconspicuous flowers. The Azay and Quatro cultivars have a powder blue color. Blue fescue thrives in well-drained soil but will turn brown during drought or prolonged hot weather. To encourage growth, the University of Illinois Extension recommends removing the flowers and dividing the clumps.

Creeping Red Fescue

• Creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra rubra) has a sod-forming growth habit. It creeps along underground stems or rhizomes and produces fine, ridged leaves. This dense, low-maintenance turf grass grows well in dry, low-nitrogen, acidic soil in a shaded area. Slender creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra trichophylla) has shorter rhizomes and does not produce quality sod. According to the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, red fescue grows vertically at a slower rate than other turf grasses.