Strong Creeping Red Fescue - Turf Grass

Red Fescue (Festuca rubra L.)

Red Fescue is found in many natural green areas on nearly all types of soils and under widely varying moisture conditions. Red Fescue is relatively slow growing in the sowing year and has very fine needle like leaves and a high shoot density. It thrives under a wide range of conditions but is notable for its tolerance to dry, rather poor soil. It is very resistant to frost and drought and it tolerates surface water during the winter to some extent. Shade tolerance is better than for most other species.

There are three types of Red Fescue for amenity purposes:

1. Slender Creeping Red Fescue (type – rubra trichophylla);
2. Chewings Fescue (type – rubra commutata); and
3. Strong Creeping Red Fescue (type – rubra rubra)

Strong Creeping Red Fescue (Rubra rubra)

Rubra rubra is the most robust and adaptable of the three. By forming strong rhizomes, it is able to close gaps in the grass sward very quickly. It tolerates extreme summer temperatures better than other Red Fescues. Rubra rubra is faster to establish than trichophylla or commutata and can be used individually or in conjunction with the other types of fescue to ensure a good recuperation of the grass sward.

Some North American varieties include: SR5250, Bach, Chopin, Cindy (Cindy Lou), Corail, Franklin, Galahad, Greencard, Greenshire, Greenvie, Heigdrun, Herald, Lambertino, Maxima 1, Mystic, Rossinante, and Sergei.

Some European varieties include: Agnetha, Camilla, Fashion, Jasperina, Litango, Lisamba, Livision, Relevant, and Ryder.

Strengths of Strong Creeping Red Fescue (Rubra rubra):

• Excellent seedling vigor;
• Persistent on low pH, infertile sites;
• Excellent shade tolerance;
• Rhizomatous sod forming turf; and
  
• Drought tolerant

Agronomic Characteristics:

Aruba strong creeping red fescue is a vigorous sod forming variety, which provides a bright medium green, fine-textured turf under minimal maintenance. It is well adapted to sandy, infertile and droughty soils and is an excellent choice on areas where regular maintenance is not possible, such as embankments, deep roughs, and roadsides. Aruba tolerates soil pH from 4.5 to 8.0. The shade tolerance of Aruba is excellent, and therefore it fits in well with landscaped areas, which include trees and other structures.

Aruba breaks winter dormancy and greens up in early spring for aesthetic value and recuperation from wear. Unlike many Chewings type fescues, Aruba blends very well in mixture with Kentucky bluegrasses, perennial ryegrasses and other fine fescues for a more broadly adapted turf. Aruba should be maintained at 2.5 cm (1 in) or more for best persistence.

Uses: Rubra rubra is excellent and popular for mixtures for ornamental lawns, common lawns, landscaping, commercial turf and golf course roughs.

Seeding Rates:

• New Establishment: 225 lb/acre
• Overseeding: 100 lb/acre