Festuca Rubra Varieties

Creeping Red

Creeping red fescue (F. rubra subp. rubra) grows in every state in the United States with the exception of the southeastern states from Florida to Louisiana, in every Canadian province, and in many regions of Europe, New Zealand, Asia and Africa. This hardy grass spreads quickly through rhizomes, or underground rootlets. In many areas, creeping red fescue grows wild and serves as an important food source for stock animals and wildlife. Creeping red fescue is commonly planted as an erosion-control groundcover on slopes, beside roadways and along water channels in the United States. Cultivars include Pennlawn, used for shady sites, and Boreal, a lower-quality mix often sold in Canada.

Slender creeping red fescue (F. rubra subp. Litoralis or Trichophylla) also spreads with rhizomes, but doesn’t spread as quickly as creeping red fescue. This variety tolerates low mowing as well as salty soils, making it a good choice for coastal lawns or areas where salt is used for deicing in the winter. It is often used in mixes with alkaligrass. Cultivars include Garance, which has very dark, fine foliage; Finesto, developed for low-traffic, ornamental lawns; and Libano, a hardy variety that requires little maintenance.

Chewings fescue (F. rubra subp. commutata) was developed in the late 1800s by New Zealander George Chewings. Chewings fescue is often used in seed mixes for very shady sites. Unlike many other red fescues, it does not creep. Chewings fescue has dark foliage and a fine texture. It tolerates shallow and poor soils, but does not thrive in alkaline sites. Cultivars include Charme, which has very fine foliage; Frida, a slow-growing, dense variety; Luisa, which tolerates low mowing; and Raisa, which grows vigorously.

A few other nonornamental varieties grow in specific climates and regions. Arctic red fescue (F. rubra subsp. Arctica) grows from Alaska to British Columbia, in Greenland and across arctic and subarctic Europe and Asia. This hardy grass grows well in rocky, sandy sites and tolerates cold, alpine conditions. Aleut fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. Aucta) is native to the west coast of North America. This hardy grass grows well in sandy sites, such as dunes and beaches.