Intermediate
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Festuca rubra ssp. rubra (Creeping red fescue)
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12 hours care
per year
per year
0.5m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
1-3 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Festuca rubra ssp. rubra
Other names
Creeping red fescue
Genus
Festuca Festuca
Species
F. rubra ssp. rubra - F. rubra ssp. rubra is a rhizomatous, perennial lawn grass with bristle-like, tubular green leaves. This species is drought and cold tolerant but will not tolerate close mowing.
Festuca rubra ssp. rubra is: Evergreen
Foliage
Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Ants , Birds , Chafer grubs in lawns , Dog urine , Leather jackets (European crane fly) , Moles , Worm casts on lawns Ants , Birds , Chafer grubs in lawns , Dog urine , Leather jackets (European crane fly) , Moles , Worm casts on lawns
Algae in grass , Dollar spot , Lichen in grass , Ophiobolus patch , Red thread (Corticium disease) , Snow mould (fusarium patch) , Toadstools and fairy rings Algae in grass , Dollar spot , Lichen in grass , Ophiobolus patch , Red thread (Corticium disease) , Snow mould (fusarium patch) , Toadstools and fairy rings
General care
Pruning
Mow regularly.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Festuca rubra ssp. rubra (Creeping red fescue) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 3m after 1-3 years.
Suggested uses
Ground Cover, Lawn
Cultivation
Grows in all soils, apart from heavy clay. Prefers sandy soil. Growth tends to be lax so it should be mixed with other varieties to produce a dense turf. Once established, will tolerate cold and drought. Will not tolerate close mowing.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Use F. rubra ssp. rubra with F. rubra litoralis and Agrostis tenuis for an ornamental lawn. Mix with Poa pratensis or Lolium perenne yo produce a hard-wearing play lawn.
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Festuca rubra ssp. rubra
Other names
Creeping red fescue
Genus
Festuca Festuca
Species
F. rubra ssp. rubra - F. rubra ssp. rubra is a rhizomatous, perennial lawn grass with bristle-like, tubular green leaves. This species is drought and cold tolerant but will not tolerate close mowing.
Foliage
Evergreen
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Colour
Foliage
Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Ants , Birds , Chafer grubs in lawns , Dog urine , Leather jackets (European crane fly) , Moles , Worm casts on lawns
Specific diseases
Algae in grass , Dollar spot , Lichen in grass , Ophiobolus patch , Red thread (Corticium disease) , Snow mould (fusarium patch) , Toadstools and fairy rings
General care
Pruning
Mow regularly.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Festuca rubra ssp. rubra (Creeping red fescue) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 3m after 1-3 years.
Suggested uses
Ground Cover, Lawn
Cultivation
Grows in all soils, apart from heavy clay. Prefers sandy soil. Growth tends to be lax so it should be mixed with other varieties to produce a dense turf. Once established, will tolerate cold and drought. Will not tolerate close mowing.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
Use F. rubra ssp. rubra with F. rubra litoralis and Agrostis tenuis for an ornamental lawn. Mix with Poa pratensis or Lolium perenne yo produce a hard-wearing play lawn.
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By acclaimed garden designer Joe Francis. The inspiration for the garden came from Joe’s personal experience of depression and suicidal thoughts. Joe has teamed up with Maytree, a National… read more
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By garden designer and landscaper Mark Gregory. The stunning Yorkshire Dales is the inspiration for Welcome to Yorkshire’s 2018 RHS Chelsea show-garden. read more
By garden designers Laurie Chetwood and Patrick Collins. The Silk Road Garden is inspired by the rich history and culture of Chengdu, capital of the ancient Chinese Shu kingdom, and since ancient … read more
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Festuca rubra ssp. rubra
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