Fine Fescue (Red Fescue / Chewings Fescue)

Festuca rubra

Poaceae · grass grasslike · native

Last updated April 25, 2026

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

European Crane FlyHigh

Winter-Spring Larval Feeding (Peak Damage)

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.
Winter semi-dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15–Feb 1	Remains green through mild western WA winters; minimal growth

Diseases: Regionally Documented (1)

Clarireedia jacksonii Dollar Spot

Diseases: Other Associations (2)

Laetisaria fuciformis Red Thread Typhula incarnata and T Typhula Snow Mold

Pests: Other Associations (1)

Tipula paludosa 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.

Ideal for shaded areas under trees; tolerates dry shade better than any other lawn species

'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.

Good in mixtures with perennial ryegrass and colonial bentgrass for western WA

Excellent for shaded lawns and low-maintenance areas. Can be used alone (3 lb/1000 sqft) or in mixture with colonial bentgrass (Chewings 2.5 lb + bentgrass 0.5 lb). Most drought-tolerant cool-season grass – ideal for homeowners who prefer not to irrigate. Common in eco-lawn and pollinator lawn seed mixes.

Data Maturity

Baseline Extension data. Expert review underway.