Fine Fescue (likely Creeping Red Fescue or Chewings Fescue)
Festuca rubra ssp. · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Ornamental, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Creeping Red or 'No-Mow' mix
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-7; excellent cold tolerance, poor heat tolerance in the deep South.
About This Grass
A graceful, low-lying grass with a 'flowing' appearance when left unmowed. It features a deep green to grayish-green color, extremely fine texture, and a tendency to flop over or 'lodge' creating a meadow-like aesthetic.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is very fine (<1.5mm), needle-like, and folded. Tips are sharply pointed. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is very short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively deep for a cool-season grass. Creeping varieties have short rhizomes that help fill in gaps and form a dense, knit sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Asia; highly adapted to Northern US, Canada, and cool coastal regions
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (Creeping Red) or Bunch-type (Chewings/Hard), forming dense, fine-textured mats
Sunlight & Water Needs
Exceptional shade tolerance (Deep to Partial shade); low to moderate water needs. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5-6.5). High drought avoidance through summer semi-dormancy.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended 2.5–4 inches for lawns; can be left unmowed for a 6–12 inch 'meadow' look. Low fertilization needs (1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year). Does not tolerate heavy dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Highest shade tolerance among cool-season grasses. Excellent for low-maintenance areas, slopes, and 'no-mow' zones. Low wear tolerance (not for high-traffic sports).
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America. Provides excellent soil stabilization on slopes/banks. Low chemical requirements make it environmentally friendly for water filtration zones.