Red fescueFestuca rubra L.
Red fescue is found in many natural green areas on nearly all types of soils and under widely varying moisture conditions. Red fescue is relatively slow growing in the sowing year and has very fine needle-like leaves and a high shoot density. It thrives under a wide range of conditions but is notable for its tolerance to dry, rather poor soil. It is very resistant to frost and drought and it tolerates, to some extent, surface water during the winter. The shade tolerance is better than for most other species.
There are three types of red fescue for amenity purposes:
Strong creeping red fescue
Slender creeping red fescue
Chewings fescue
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Festuca rubra rubra is the most robust and adaptable of the three types in question. By forming strong rhizomes, it is able to close holes in the grass sward very quickly. It tolerates extreme summer temperatures better than other red fescues. Festuca Rubra rubra types are faster to establish than trichophylla or commutata and can be used individually or in conjunction with the other types of fescue to secure a good recuperation of the grass sward.
Almerita
Aniset
Diego
Celianna
Chopin
Cindy
Elliott
Felix
Galahad
Maxima
Mystic
Rondino
Shadeway
Rossinante
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Festuca rubra trichophyllahas short rhizomes facilitate the repair of holes in the sward but at a slower rate than rubra rubra. Its shoot density is very high enhancing the species' ability to withstand close mowing. High salt tolerance makes trichophylla a good partner in mixtures for roadsides and parks where salt is applied during winter on roads and paths. The drought and shade tolerance of trichophylla is higher than for other red fescue types and this sub specie thrives especially in a mild coastal climate.
Amarone
Cezanne
Mocassin
Smirna
Rosita
Zamboni
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Festuca rubra commutata has no rhizomes (bunch grass) but the highest density of shoots of the three types. When using commutata in mixtures, it is often necessary to add one of the other types of fescue with rhizomes (or Poa pratensis) in order to facilitate the infill and repair of gaps in the sward. In cold areas, commutata is an important component as it has better winter hardiness than other fescues. As shoot density is very high, commutata is also an integral component of mixtures that are required to tolerate close mowing. This would be especially so for golf greens.
Alice
Calliope
Calliope, results from trials in Finland
Calliope, results from trials in Norway (in Danish)
Capriccio
Carina
Carina, results from trials in Norway (in Danish)
Darwin
Florasol
Legende
Maritza
Tatjana
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