Creeping Red Fescue
Festuca rubra · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Shade Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9; excellent cold tolerance, moderate heat tolerance, goes dormant in extreme summer heat
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Variety / Cultivar
Standard Creeping Red Fescue cultivar; known for fine needle-like leaves and creeping rhizomes
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing, fine-textured clump of very narrow, wire-like, dark green to blue-green leaves. Unmowed height reaches 8 to 18 inches, while maintained turf stays low. Seed heads are open panicles appearing in late spring.
Blade Characteristics
Extremely fine width (under 1.5mm), rolled/involute leaf blade shape, pointed tips, dark green to blue-green color, folded vernation in bud, very smooth texture with prominent fine veins
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system with short rhizomes; forms a tight sod over time; moderate establishment speed; minimal thatch tendency unless heavily fertilized
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, Asia, and North America; widely cultivated and naturalized in temperate regions worldwide, particularly performing best in cool, northern climates and shady areas
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and bunch-type combination; forms a dense, fine-textured turf via short underground rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Highly shade tolerant, performs well in partial to full shade, moderate to low water needs, excellent drought tolerance once established, prefers well-drained, acidic to neutral soils (pH 5.5-6.5)
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 inches, low fertilizer requirements (1 to 2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), low overall maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Exceptional shade tolerance, good drought and cold tolerance, poor traffic and wear tolerance, good disease resistance, excellent for low-maintenance areas and under trees
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many regions, valuable for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes, provides minor wildlife forage, commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass for shady lawns