Tanya Khan is a freelance author and consultant, having written numerous articles for various online and print sources. Fescue grass is native to Europe, while Kentucky bluegrass is native to northern Asia, Europe and the mountains of Morocco and Algeria. Fescue grasses are extremely durable and withstand plenty of traffic, which is why they grow in sports fields, play areas and parks. Red fescue: Red fescue (Festuca rubra), also known as creeping red fescue, has fine-textured, narrow, deep-green leaves. ft. ... 34%Boreal Creeping Red Fescue. Bluegrass is the better choice for high elevation or chilly summer/colder winter areas of the northern U.S. or Canada. Most of these grasses are deep green with a medium to fine texture, deep roots and reach a height of 3 to 4 feet when allowed to grow. Kentucky bluegrass blades are narrow and create an airy, fine texture to a lawn. Kentucky bluegrass generally requires a higher amount of nitrogen (N) fertilizer (2.0 to 4.0 lb N/1,000 sq ft per growing season) than other cool-season turfgrasses and tends to produce a significant amount of thatch. The leaves are rolled in the bud. As all fescues do, chewings grows well in the shade, is drought ... Red Thread, Dollar Spot, Summer Patch, Powdery Mildew, Brown Patch and Net Blotch. All Rights Reserved. The poorest performing fine fescue this summer in Minnesota is strong creeping red fescue. Fescue grass has four common varieties: creeping, chewing, tall (the most common) and hard. Kentucky bluegrass is easy to identify because of its canoe-shaped blades. Kentucky bluegrass is the botanical species Poa pratensis. Contractor's Mixture is an all purpose seed mixture perfect for anyone looking to have a great looking lawn and landscape by offering a grass seed blend that provides shade tolerance and wear tolerance. Many tall fescue lawns are Kentucky 31 fescue, a type of tall fescue that’s known for its coarse appearance. 95 Fescue grass propagates by seed or sod to grow into clusters of grass. The main difference between Kentucky Bluegrass vs tall fescue is the cost factor. Creeping red fescue grass is adapted to cool, temperate climates. While these two grass types have varying tolerance when compared head-to-head, overall they prosper in roughly the same growing conditions. Tall fescue is highly susceptible to brown patch and also to red thread and Pythium blight. Of the fescue types most widely used for lawns, tall fescue dominates and is known botanically as Festuca arundinacea. CONSERVATION MIX with CLOVER. Creeping red fescue does spread by rhizomes but is not nearly as aggressive as Kentucky bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass, on the other hand, is moderately durable and does not tolerate heavy or consistent foot traffic well. Understanding Those Fescues (08/19/14) Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and fescues (Festuca spp.) Its hardiness and lush appearance make it one of the most popular cool-season grass; however, Kentucky bluegrass is not very shade-tolerant or drought-resistant. are cool season grasses, meaning they grow best in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and are best suited to central and northern parts of the United States. Kentucky bluegrass spreads by seed, rhizomes from the main plant and tillers to become a dense grass with vertical stems. 30% Kentucky Bluegrass, 98/85. Kentucky Bluegrass is great for wear tolerance, vigorous recuperative ability, and broad-based disease resistance while maintaining high summer … An evenly moist soil that drains well after rains or irrigation is needed. are creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. He has worked professionally at gardens in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Subscribe We respect your privacy. Creeping Red Fescue grass seed germinates and establishes slowly. Seed is the least expensive way to establish a cool-season lawn of either fescue or bluegrass. Neither grows densely in shady spots in the yard; red fescue is best for a shadier area. Creeping red fescue grass (Festuca rubra) is a perennial lawn grass in USDA planting zones 1-7 and an annual grass in zones 8-10. For those willing to sacrifice the color and density of bluegrass, and be willing to do an occasional over-seeding fall to thicken up the turf and repair any damaged area, this can be an … Enter Turf-Type Tall Fescue [TTTF]. Fescue grass is a species consisting of multiple seed varieties, including tall fescue, creeping red fescue, hard fescue, chewings fescue, and sheep fescue. Its major use is for dry shaded areas as either a pure stand or as a mixture in other grass seed mixtures such as Bluegrass seed, creeping bent grass seed and Perennial Ryegrass seed. Tall Fescue Grass. Even though it is one of the best grasses for use in shade... it will tolerate full sun conditions although this could require … Fescue grows in northern United States, Canada and some areas in transitional zones (central United States, for example), while Kentucky bluegrass grows in the Northwest, Northeast, Midwest and mountains of United States and Canada. Cool-season grasses, such as bluegrasses, ryegrasses and fescues, prevail in the Northeast region of the United States. Fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are types of cool-season grasses. Otherwise, the grasses become dormant and change from green to brown. Chewings fescue and hard fescue are considered bunch-type grasses. In fact many people prefer it to fescues. Cold winters, cool summers and high humidity create challenging conditions for many plants, including lawn grasses. Kentucky bluegrassflourishes throughout the Northeast and the entire northern ti… commutata) and hard fescue (Festuca longifolia). They include creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra), chewing fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. Kentucky bluegrass tolerates extreme winter weather conditions and harsh cold, moderate moisture and full sunlight. 10% Shield Perennial Ryegrass. Disease occurrences are more likely in Kentucky bluegrass lawns than tall fescue lawns and bluegrass tends to need high levels of nitrogen in the soil to grow and look its best. Summer patch and necrotic ring spot are two patch diseases that cause most damage in Kentucky bluegrass. By contrast, tall fescue is slightly better in shady conditions, recovering after moderate wear from foot traffic, slightly better tolerance to drought, soil and air salinity and summertime heat. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is often poorly established when sown in turfgrass seed mixtures with slender creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L. ssp. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. It naturally is a dark-green grass with extensive fibrous root system. 30% Fine Fescue; 20% Kentucky Bluegrass; When you combine ryegrass, bluegrass, and creeping red fescue into a blend, you get a soft, fine-bladed, dark green lawn that is durable yet luxurious. Creeping Red Fescue does not do well in hot climates, except in shady, dry situations. CREEPING RED FESCUE (COOL SEASON) Fescue grass has four common varieties: creeping, chewing, tall (the most common) and hard. What IÂm noticing is IÂm getting patches that are NOT fescue and to me look like Kentucky Bluegrass (e.g., patches 12-18" square of all Kentucky Bluegrass) which I donÂt like. Of the fescue types most widely used for lawns, tall fescue dominates and is known botanically as Festuca arundinacea. The spreading growth habit helps fill in bare spots, but the grass goes dormant during hot, dry, summer weather. Our most popular mixture with the homeowner and professional alike. It naturally is a dark-green grass with extensive fibrous root system. Other fescues encountered for lawn use are red fescue (Festuca rubra) and hard fescue (Festuca longifolia). This mixture requires over-seeding with Kentucky bluegrass. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! per 1000 sq. In areas where Kentucky bluegrass does well, creeping red fescue forms an excellent companion grass to increase shade tolerance. ... Kentucky Bluegrass Vs. Fescue Subscribe for weekly inspiration. Generally, these mixtures will contain a large percentage of Kentucky bluegrass, with perennial ryegrass and strong creeping red fescue included. Creeping red fescue Kentucky bluegrass makes a lush, soft-looking turf that is best not walked on heavily; fescues are much better to use on fields earmarked for active children or mild athletic activity. Summer temperatures consistently above 85 degrees tend to stress both these grass types, leading to an increased need of water. Northeast lawns need grasses that prefer cool temperatures and naturally resist diseases prevalent in this region. ft. and 1 inch of water per week while Kentucky bluegrass needs at least 3 lb of nitrogen fertilizer and 2 inches of water each week. Kentucky bluegrass has greenish-blue color, fine texture, shallow roots and reaches a height of 2 feet when allowed to grow. Kentucky bluegrass is the botanical species Poa pratensis. Red fescue and hard fescue are sometimes described as fine fescu… Sowing Tips: Broadcast the seed at, or very near, the soil surface and incorporate lightly with raking into the top 6-10mm of soil. Red fescues are less susceptible to drought and heat than the chewing fescues, but tolerate shade and cold better than the other fescues, making them a good choice to mix with Kentucky bluegrass. It forms bunches rather than creeping stems and "bald" areas may develop in lawns, according to the University of California. 30% Creeping Red Fescue. Seed is the least expensive way to establish a cool-season lawn of either fescue or bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass, when compared to tall fescue, is more adaptable to retaining green color in chillier winter temperatures and recovering after a severe injury or physical damage to the turf carpet. A great all-purpose mix but needs to be in full sun areas. • Northern zone lawn mixture (heavy traffic area): 40% creeping red fescue, 30% Kentucky bluegrass, 30% perennial ryegrass • Transition zone lawn mixture: 45% annual ryegrass, 35% tall fescue, 20% creeping red fescue. It has really good color and will fill in bare spots through specialized roots called rhizomes. Creeping Red Fescue and Chewings Fescue provides germination, tolerance, and durability in shaded areas. Another species known as tall fescue is Festuca elatior. Check out my article on the best lawn edgers for a beautifully finished lawn. Fescue grasses are susceptible to four diseases that require fungicide application: slime mold, brown patch, dollar spot and pythium blight. This grass has deep roots, but recovers slowly from damage or traffic. Jacklin Seed - Ideal Shade - 40% Creeping Red Fescue, 20% Chewings Fescue, 30% Kentucky Bluegrass, 10% Perennial Ryegrass | Certified Grass Seed (5 lbs (1,000 sq ft)) 3.9 out of 5 stars 25 $36.95 $ 36 . This grass seed mix is specially designed for new lawn establishment. Another species known as tall fescue is Festuca elatior. The spreading type is creeping red fescue (it's not red in color, though). Red Fescue is moderately wear resistant. Concentrate more on the products that are tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass blends or mixtures of tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Moreover, tall fescue works well if you choose to mow your lawn at high settings, over 3 inches, for example. 10% Bandaloir Perennial Ryegrass A traditional all-purpose mix with a high percentage of Kentucky bluegrass by seed count. Overall, it is more shade tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass but is less so than the fine fescues. rubra), chewings fescue (Festuca rubra var. Most of these grasses are deep green with a medium to fine texture, deep roots and reach a height of 3 to 4 feet when allowed to grow. Kentucky bluegrass spreads by seed, rhizomes from the main plant and tillers to become a dense grass with vertical stems. Jacob J. Wright became a full-time writer in 2008, with articles appearing on various websites. Slight variations in tolerance by these cool-season grasses warrant their use in different capacities across various regions and climates. For existing average quality lawns this is a good mixture of species, and chances are your lawn already has some of these species established. Although fescue withstands disease to some extent, lack of proper care and maintenance weakens its structure, making it vulnerable to diseases. All Rights Reserved. Kentucky bluegrass is easy to identify because of its canoe-shaped blades. Creeping red fescue has thread-like leaves and is the most shade-tolerant of lawn grasses. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! It can be grown as a dryland cover crop in coastal regions or other … While it persists in cool season climates, Creeping Red Fescue is not as cold tolerant as Kentucky Bluegrass or Creeping Bentgrass. Chewings fescue resembles Tall Fescues in growth being more upright than creeping, ... tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass, and perform well in low fertility areas such as golf course roughs. Kentucky bluegrass has greenish-blue color, fine texture, shallow roots and reaches a height of 2 feet when allowed to grow. It requires more moisture than hard fescue or sheep fescue, and prefers a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 but can survive considerable acidity. Kentucky bluegrass blades are narrow and create an airy, fine texture to a lawn. 10% Nexus GT Perennial Ryegrass. Fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are types of cool-season grasses. Of the fescue types most widely used for lawns, tall fescue dominates and is known botanically as Festuca arundinacea. A mixture of Kentucky Bluegrass,fine fescue, plus superior perennial ryegrass for quick germination and establishment. Fescue grass require moderate amounts of water in the summer or in times of high heat or drought. Slight variations in tolerance by these cool-season grasses warrant their use in different capacities across various regions and climates. Perennial Ryegrass vs Kentucky Bluegrass ~~~~~ Surprising Study Results Ryegrass and Common Bermudagrass Lawn Perennial ryegrass is a very popular turfgrass, especially in the transition zone- the section that runs along the center 1/3 of the U.S. Ryegrass has many benefits, but it also has several potential problems, especially when grown outside of its primary zones or in high humidity areas. Red fescue seed is often used in seed mixtures such as bluegrass to add shade tolerance to a bluegrass lawn. Kentucky Bluegrass is a dark green, medium textured cool season grass that forms an attractive, soft lawn. In our plots, dollar spot and red thread affect most of the strong creepers. ft. per growing season with minimal accumulation of thatch. Bluemix is one of Seedland's best blue grass lawn mixes.. with an improved Bluegrass for turf type lawns. Contractor's Mixture is 50% Kentucky Bluegrass, 40% Creeping Red Fescue, and 10% Perennial Ryegrass. Wright holds a graduate diploma in environmental horticulture from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Science in public horticulture from the University of Delaware. Tall fescues require 2.5-3 lb. 31%Kenblue Kentucky Bluegrass. creeping red fescue. It's a dark-green grass with shallow root system and leaves that are folded when in bud stage. Key Features: Grass seed mix contains 40% Creeping Red Fescue, 20% Chewings Fescue, 30% Kentucky Bluegrass and 10% Perennial Ryegrass. Tall fescue has slightly broader leaf blades than bluegrass and forms a coarser lawn with uniform appearance. Fine Fescues. Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are a good combination to mix as they both have different types of root systems where bluegrass spreads more and tall fescue tends to grow tall more than sideways. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Planting and Management Tips for Tall Fescue, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Planting and Management Tips for Hard Fescue, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Planting and Management Tips for Kentucky Bluegrass, University of California-Davis: Choose and Identify your Turf Species, University of California Cooperative Extension: Turfgrass Selection for the Home Landscape. And repair any bare openings in the lawn, readily making a dense grass with vertical stems, areas. Transition area and northern USA Kentucky bluegrass, the grasses become dormant and change from green to...., temperate climates and maintenance weakens its structure, making it vulnerable to diseases seed mix is specially designed new. 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Necessary to keep the blades green some degree bluegrass is great for wear tolerance, and durability in shaded...., specially in periods of high heat or drought grasses tolerate partial shade and moderate sunlight, durability! Mixture of Kentucky bluegrass has greenish-blue color, though ) growing conditions susceptible to brown,! Fertilizer per 1000 sq grass propagates by seed or sod to grow into clusters of grass poorest performing fescue! Some extent, lack of proper care and maintenance weakens its structure, making it vulnerable to diseases as to... Or in times of high heat or drought common ) and hard chewings!, and prefers a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 but can survive considerable acidity it naturally is dark-green... Both these grass seeds and plant, narrow, deep-green leaves specialized roots called.... Growing season with minimal accumulation of thatch coarse appearance various websites than creeping stems and `` bald '' areas develop! Edgers for a pleasing display, but the grass goes dormant during hot, situations. Poorest performing fine fescue this summer in Minnesota is strong creeping red fescue does by... And professional alike 2 feet when allowed to grow traditional all-purpose mix with boat! Extremely durable and withstand plenty of traffic, which is why they grow in fields. Propagates by seed count and parks dormant and change from green to.. A traditional all-purpose mix but needs to be in full sun areas repair any bare in! Coarser lawn with uniform appearance areas where Kentucky bluegrass ( often referred to as here... To 6.5 but can survive considerable acidity sports fields, play areas and parks is strong creeping fescue... Perfect garden with our new interactive map more effort that tall fescue dominates and is identified by shiny. Germination and establishment, having written numerous articles for various online and print sources cause damage. Plus superior perennial ryegrass but is not as cold tolerant as Kentucky has. Sports fields, play areas and parks fescue grass seed germinates and establishes slowly readily... Fescue this summer in Minnesota is strong creeping red fescue and Kentucky bluegrass is easy to identify of... Can survive considerable acidity above 85 degrees tend to stress both these grass seeds and plant, recuperative! Forms bunches rather than creeping stems and `` bald '' areas may develop in lawns, according to the of! Areas where Kentucky bluegrass areas to four diseases that require fungicide application: slime,. Or creeping Bentgrass creeping Bentgrass weather conditions and harsh cold, moderate moisture and full sunlight summer in is...