What is Fine Fescue?
Fine-Leaved Fescues The fine-leaved fescues are composed of creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), Chewings fescue (F. rubra var. commutata Gaud), Sheep fescue (F. ovina L.), and Hard fescue [F. ovina var. duriuscula (L.) Koch]. This section considers these species together as one group. Specific references are made to individual species only when differences in their characteristics or adaptation warrant it. The fine-leaved fescues form a dense, uniform, and quality turf. Red fescue and Chewings fescue are the two most widely used. Red fescue is a creeping type with rhizomes, while Chewings, Sheep, and Hard fescues are bunch-types. Their establishment rate is more rapid than Kentucky bluegrass, but somewhat slower than perennial ryegrass. Fine-leaved fescues have very fine, almost needle-like leaves, and should not be confused with the new turf-type tall fescues. Adaptation. The fine-leaved fescues are long-lived perennials. They are the best adapted cool season turfgrasses for dry,
