Fine Fescue
Festuca rubra · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Creeping Red Fescue
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, excellent cold tolerance, goes dormant in extreme heat
About This Grass
Very fine-textured, needle-like leaves forming dense, tufted or spreading patches, straw-colored when dormant or dead, greenish-gray active growth
Blade Characteristics
Fine width (<2mm), folded in bud, pointed tip, smooth to slightly rough texture, distinct veins
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous roots with slender rhizomes, moderate establishment speed, moderate thatch tendency
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North America, well-adapted to temperate and cool regions
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and bunch-type depending on the specific fine fescue sub-species
Sunlight & Water Needs
Highly shade tolerant, requires minimal water once established, excellent drought tolerance, prefers well-drained acidic soils
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 1.5 to 2.5 inches, low fertilizer requirements (1 lb N per 1000 sq ft per year), low maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Exceptional shade tolerance, good drought tolerance, poor heavy traffic tolerance, good erosion control on slopes
Ecological Information
Often native or naturalized, provides good ground cover and wildlife nesting material, non-invasive standard turf species