Fine Fescue (Red Fescue / Chewings Fescue)

Festuca rubra

Poaceae · grass sedge · native

Quick Facts

Height

6–24 in (unmowed); mow to 1.25–1.5 in (western WA)

Spread

Red fescue spreads slowly by short rhizomes; Chewings fescue is bunch-type

Growth Rate

Slow

Light

Sun to Part Shade

Soil

Well Drained

Water

Low

Hardiness

Zone Zones 2a–8b

Origin

Circumboreal; Chewings fescue from New Zealand

Phenological Calendar

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Spring green-up BBCH 09	Feb 1–Mar 1	Early green-up; one of the first grasses to show color in late winter
Active vegetative growth BBCH 21	Mar 1–Apr 15	Fine-textured new growth; lawn greens up fully
Peak spring growth BBCH 39	Apr 15–Jun 15	Moderate growth; mowing needed every 7–10 days
Summer stress period BBCH 45	Jul 1–Sep 1	Growth slows or stops; may brown in extended heat without irrigation. Most drought-tolerant of cool-season grasses – recovers well from dormancy.
Fall recovery BBCH 21	Sep 1–Oct 31	Renewed growth with fall rains; ideal overseeding window
Winter semi-dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15–Feb 1	Remains green through mild western WA winters; minimal growth

Diseases (3)

Red Thread

Dollar Spot

Typhula Snow Mold

Pests (1)

European Crane Fly

Cultivars (2)

'ssp. rubra' (Creeping Red Fescue)

Spreads by short rhizomes; forms a loose, fine-textured turf. Most shade-tolerant of cool-season lawn grasses. Superior drought recovery due to rhizomatous spread.

'ssp. commutata' (Chewings Fescue)

Bunch-type (no rhizomes); denser, more upright growth than creeping red. Named for George Chewing of New Zealand who first exported it commercially. Slightly more aggressive than creeping red in competition.