Fescue

Fescue is a common name for several grass species in the genus Festuca. The most widely cultivated fescues are tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, often classified as Schedonorus arundinaceus) and the fine fescues, which include creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra), chewings fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. commutata), hard fescue (Festuca brevipila), and sheep fescue (Festuca ovina).

Fescues are cool-season perennials used for lawns, pastures, and erosion control. Tall fescue tends to form clumps with relatively wide leaves and has good heat and drought tolerance once established. Fine fescues are finer-leaved and include turf-type cultivars that tolerate shade and low fertility; creeping red fescue can spread slowly, while hard and chewings fescues are more drought- and wear-tolerant in rough turf and meadows.

Climate, soils, and establishment: Fescues grow best in temperate regions with cool springs and falls. They adapt to a range of soils, commonly preferring neutral to mildly acidic conditions. Establishment is typically by seed, with mowing and nutrient management tailored to the specific type; recommended mowing heights vary from about 1 to 3 inches depending on the cultivar and use.

Uses and management: Fescues are widely used for lawns, athletic fields, golf roughs, and ornamental landscaping, as well as pastures and hay in some regions. They are valued for drought tolerance (tall fescue) or shade tolerance and low-input maintenance (fine fescues) and are often combined in seed mixes.

Endophyte considerations: Some tall fescue cultivars host endophytic fungi that produce alkaloids, providing pest resistance but potentially causing fescue toxicosis in grazing livestock. Endophyte-free or novel-endophyte varieties are available to mitigate risk.