Fine fescue (Festuca sp. and ssp.) species include creeping red (Festuca rubra), chewings (Festuca rubra ssp. commutata Gaudin), hard (Festuca ovina L.), and sheep fescue (Festuca brevipila Tracey). All fine-leaf fescues are bunch-type grasses except creeping red fescue, which is rhizomatous. Fine fescues are some of the most fine-textured turfgrasses available. Due to their superb shade tolerance and ability to recuperate from stresses, fine fescues are often mixed with tall fescue to enhance performance in shady areas.

• For a month-by-month fine fescue lawn maintenance calendar, see Tall Fescue, Hard (Fine) Fescue, and Kentucky Bluegrass Home Lawn Calendar.

• SEEDHEAD / FLOWER
  • panicle; seedhead is a closed, coarse panicle
• VERNATION TYPE
  • leaves folded in the bud
• LIGULE TYPE
  • membranous; rounded, 0.01 inches (0.3 mm) long
    ​Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3
• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • cool season turf
• AURICLE TYPE
  • absent
• LEAF BLADE TIP SHAPE
  • sharp-pointed; bristle-like with whitish cast, deeply ridged on inner surface
    Figure 4, Figure 5
• STOLON PRESENCE
  • absent
• RHIZOME PRESENCE
  • absent except in creeping red fescue; red fescue rhizomes are slender and short
• COLLAR TYPE
  • indistinct, divided in some species, continuous in others
• SHEATH MARGIN
  • open

Figure 1. Fine fescue ligule.

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Figure 1. Fine fescue ligule.

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Figure 2. Fine fescue ligule.

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Figure 2. Fine fescue ligule.

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Figure 3. Fine fescue ligule.

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Figure 3. Fine fescue ligule.

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Figure 4. Fine fescue leaf blade.

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Figure 4. Fine fescue leaf blade.

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Figure 5. Fine fescue leaf blade.

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Figure 5. Fine fescue leaf blade.

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