Getting (re)acquainted with: Fine Fescue

Three grasses go under the common name of fine fescue: chewings fescue, creeping red fescue, and hard fescue. All three survive extreme cold and combine well with other cool-season grasses. None of the fine fescues tolerate wear and tear, but they have the unusual talent of being able to grow in dry shade. Hard fescue has a strong bunching habit that makes it appear less refined than other lawn grasses, but will persist in difficult sites that are unusually cold, windy, and dry. All of the fescues share the same variety characteristics, with the three dominant ones being shade-tolerance, staying green all year, and having good drought resistance.

Attributes
• Hardy grass requiring little maintenance
• Excellent cold and drought tolerance
• Survives on very little water
• Good year-round color
• Well adapted to Transition Zone
• Provides firm and fast playing conditions which call for good strategy (vs. “target golf,” which gives golfers fewer options)

Drawbacks
• Not well-suited to high-traffic areas
• Establishes relatively slowly
• Some fescues are also known for a susceptibility to red thread, leaf spot and dollar spot
Grass Index
Bentgrass |
Bermudagrass |
Carpetgrass |
Fine Fescue |
Kentucky Bluegrass |
Kikuyugrass |
Paspalum |
Perennial Ryegrass |
Zoysiagrass