Hard Fescue is a cool season, long-lived perennial grass. Hard fescue is an excellent choice for low maintenance areas in shady or sunny sites. Hard fescue is grayish to dark green in color and has a wiry texture. When left unmowed, the leaves grow 12-15 inches long and lie over displaying a ‘meadow’ look. It has an extensive root system and displays a tufted growth habit. Commonly seeded with Sheep or Creeping Red fescue.
Characteristics
FEATURES:
BENEFITS:
Medium texture Uniform growth habit
Slow but persistant grower Mature stands are compettitive
Gray-green color Attractive in an ornamental planting
Shade tolerance Useful in shade mixtures
Long, slender leaf blades Attractive as slope or ground cover
Uses
Ground cover or slope mixtures for erosion control as an unmowed grass. Can be mixed with wildflowers.
Golf course roughs, ski slopes, roadside or ornamental plantings, vineyards, orchards, cemeteries.
Non-used areas of parks, median strips.
Seeding Rates
New turf or ground cover: 5-7 pounds per 1000 square feet depending on whether other grasses or wildflowers are being used in the seed mix.
Overseeding: Up to 5 pounds per 1000 square feet.
Establishment
Emergence: 10-21 days.
Establishment: 6-8 weeks. Best seeded in Fall, Winter and Spring.
Growing region: Cooler areas, best adapted to well drained soils.
pH Range: 5.0 to 7.5.
Salinity: Not tolerant of saline conditions.
Fertilization: As needed during cool seasons.
