RED FESCUE

Festuca rubra

Forage type

A perennial species, belonging to the low grasses group. It forms a strong root system. The red fescue species is further divided into three subspecies: Festuca rubra commutata (chewings fescue), Festuca rubra trichophylla (slender creeping fescue) and Fesuca rubra rubra (strong creeping fescue), differing in the way of sward formation. Red fescue has low soil and moistre requirements, and hence it is used as a basic component of mixtures on weak and seasonally dry soils. It is suitable for pastures since it tolerates trampling and grazing. It regrows quite rapidly after grazing, and is characterised by high winterhardiness, and tolerance to prolonged ice cover.

Turf type
There are many turf varieties of red fescue, characterised by a more slender leaf blade and lower growth habit. These are generally used for decorative lawns, with slower regrowth and on drier stands. Red fescue is an excellent sward-builder, also suitable for establishing turf on escarpments, roadsides and greens around motorways.