Turfgrass species: Tour: Common and Scientific name:
Hard fescue - Festuca longifolia Thuill.
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Plant characteristics
| Growth Habit | bunch-type |
| Texture | fine |
| Density | high density where adapted |
| Color | grayish to dark green |
Useful identifying Characteristics
| bunch-type growth habit; folded vernation; needle-like leaf blade; leaves tougher and wider than in sheep fescue |
Uses
| Used in dry, shaded areas; low maintenance turf areas for erosion control or soil stabilization; tolerates higher moisture and fertility levels than sheep fescue. |
Other Characteristics
| Varieties | - |
| Seeding Rate | 3 to 5 lb per 1000 sq.ft. in mixes with Kentucky bluegrass: 30 to 50% by weight |
Reproduction
| Life cycle | perennial |
| Propagation | seed |
| Seeds/lb | 530,000 |
Adaptation
| Sun/shade | sun to moderate shade |
| Soil | will tolerate moist, fertile soils |
| Moisture | low moisture; more tolerant of moisture than sheep fescue |
| Mowing height | 2" to 2 1/2" |
| Fertility | low fertility, 1 to 2 lb N/1000 sq.ft./yr (requires higher fertility than sheep fescue) |
Special Problems
| Susceptible to diseases, slow recuperative rate from injury. |