Creeping Red Fescue (Festuca Rubra)
What does it look like?
The calling card of Creeping red fescue is a red color at the base of very thin, upright leaves.
How does it grow?
This grass spreads by short rhizomes or by tillering, and it establishes quickly from seed compared to Kentucky bluegrass.
How does it rate for the average homeowner?
A common component of many lawn mixes used in the Northern United States, this grass is prized for its performance in the dry, shady areas that dominate these places. Creeping red fescue will persist in sunny areas as well, and while it is the most popular fine-leafed fescue, it does not recuperate from traffic or heavy activity.
In what kinds of climates / conditions does it flourish / languish?
Creeping red fescue, like all fine fescues, does best in fall and spring when temperatures are cool and in the summer when temperatures are not blazing hot. Over-watering and over-fertilizing do more harm than good to this grass, causing it to thin and give ground to other grasses. And though it is a relatively low-maintenance grass, it lacks the aesthetic appeal of Kentucky bluegrass or Perennial ryegrass. It should not be used in the transition zone or South because of low heat tolerance.
Does this kind of grass mix well with other grasses?
Because of its upright growth and fine-leaf texture, this grass mixes well with most of the cool-season grasses.
