Festuca rubra seed
LATIN NAME: FESTUCA RUBRA
COMMON NAME: Red Fescue
In the meadows and the cool grasslands of the north, the red fescue grows as a tufted or creeping, perennial grass with the fine, narrow, dark-green leaves and the open, nodding panicles of the small, greenish flowers in the early summer, the small, dry grains following. It spreads steadily by the creeping stems into a fine, dense sward, and it stands the cold winters, the shade and the ordinary, well-drained soils well. Choose full sun and ordinary, well-drained ground for this plant.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
The red fescue appears in the studies of the cool-season grasses of the north, its fine leaves and its nodding panicles keeping it in view in the work on the lawn grasses of the cool regions and the shade-tolerant grasses of the meadows. The research looks at the way the creeping stems build the sward, the nodding panicles ripen to the dry grains, and the seed biology of the small, dry seeds.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
In the lawn and the meadow, the red fescue builds the fine, dense, dark-green sward that stands the shade and the cool weather better than most grasses. The versatile grass has long been a mainstay of the cool-climate lawn, and the plant makes the fine lawn grass, the meadow grass and the plant of the cool, open garden. It is a plant for the sunny or shaded, deep and moist place.
To grow the Red Fescue from seed, sow the fine seeds on the surface of cool, moist soil.
Sow the fine seeds on the surface of cool, moist soil, and keep the young fescues in the open, sunny spot. The nodding panicles open with the early summer.
LATIN NAME: Festuca rubra
COMMON NAME: Red Fescue, Creeping Red Fescue
Red fescue is one of the finest and most versatile of all lawn grasses, and it is the grass of fine lawns, shady gardens and wildflower meadows alike. It is a fine-leaved, tufted perennial grass that forms a dense, soft, attractive turf of slender, dark green leaves, often tinged red at the base, which is how it gets its name. The plant steadily develops a dense, tufted clump, often reaching 30-60 cm. In summer it sends up fine, delicate flower heads. It is a grass of quiet quality and great dependability.
Red fescue belongs to the grass family, Poaceae, and it is native to Europe, northern Asia and North America, where it grows in meadows, grasslands and coastal places. It is a hardy, cool-season grass that thrives in cool, moist climates, and it is one of the most widely sown turf grasses in the temperate world.
Positive & Encouraging Seed Germination Guide
Growing red fescue from seed is easy and gives excellent results. The fine seeds germinate readily in cool, moist conditions, so sow them in spring or early autumn, either scattered over a prepared seedbed or in rows, and rake them in very lightly, keeping the ground moist until the seedlings are established. Germination usually begins within one to three weeks, and the grass forms a fine, dense turf within a season. It is hardy, shade-tolerant and drought-tolerant once established, and it needs less feeding and watering than coarser grasses. For a fine lawn, a shady corner or a wildflower meadow, red fescue is a reliable and beautiful choice.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
Red fescue is one of the most studied turf grasses in the world, with a rich record in agronomic research. As a key grass for fine lawns, sports turf and golf courses, it has been studied extensively for its establishment, its tolerance of shade, drought and wear, its mowing requirements and its responses to fertilizer and irrigation, and breeders have developed many improved varieties for different uses. It is also of ecological interest, because it is a component of species-rich grasslands and meadows, and it is used in research on wildflower meadows, habitat restoration and low-maintenance turf. Its fine, soft texture and its ability to thrive in shade make it a standard subject in turf-grass science. For a grass of such quiet quality, red fescue has an exceptionally rich and practical record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
Ecologically, red fescue is a valuable grass. It is a component of fine natural grasslands and meadows, its dense turf provides food and shelter for insects and small animals, and it helps hold soil on banks and slopes, preventing erosion.
Its economic value is considerable. It is one of the most widely sown turf grasses in the temperate world, used for fine lawns, sports turf, golf courses, amenity grass and erosion control, and it is a major crop in the grass-seed industry. For a grower, red fescue is a high-value turf and seed crop, and for anyone with a lawn, a shady spot or a meadow, it is one of the finest and most dependable grasses you can sow.
Great for full or partial shade areas. Great for seeding under trees. Drought tolerant Dark green year-round Fully tested, ready to plant Common Name Creeping Red Fescue Botanical Name Festuca rubra Plant Type/Life Cycle Perennial Light Requirements Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade Estimated Mature Height 12-24″ tall Bloom Time Early to mid summer Planting Time Cool Season Ships As Seed Coverage 90-150 lbs per acre Seeds Per Pound 245,000 Soil Moisture Dry, Average, Well Draining Will Tolerate Sandy Soil, Loamy Soil, Acidic Soil, Drought/Dry Soil Suggested Uses Groundcover, Erosion Control Additional Information Used for a no-mow cover and erosion control. Provides a habitat for wildlife. Is It Storable? Yes – You can store your seed in any cool (not freezing) dry place that is not subject to extreme temperature variations.