Turfgrass species: Tour: Common and Scientific name:
Red fescue / Creeping red fescue - Festuca rubra L. ssp rubra
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Plant characteristics
| Growth Habit | weakly rhizomatous |
| Texture | very fine |
| Density | high density where adapted |
| Color | medium to dark green |
Useful identifying Characteristics
| rhizomes; folded vernation; needle-like leaf blade; lower leaf sheaths often red |
Uses
| Best adapted to cool, humid areas, but is often used in dry, shaded areas alone or in mixes with Kentucky bluegrass; low maintenance turf areas receiving little irrigation or fertilization. |
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 | 408,000 |
Adaptation
| Sun/shade | sun to moderate shade |
| Soil | will tolerate poor soil as long as it is fairly dry |
| Moisture | low moisture |
| Mowing height | 2" to 2 1/2" + |
| Fertility | low fertility, 1 to 2 lb N/1000 sq.ft./year |
Special Problems
| Susceptible to diseases in full sun; slow recuperative rate from injury; avoid wet sites; intolerant of some herbicides. |