Red fescue(Festuca rubra)
With its needle shaped leaves and dense growth, red fescue is particularly suitable for ornamental lawns, where it can be used alone or in a mixture with other grasses. The species thrives on nearly all soil types, including dry and light soils. Red fescue grows relatively slow in the year of establishment, but due to its strong resistance to cold and drought, it contributes to a long life for the lawn.
DLF-TRIFOLIUM is developing varieties within the subspecies rubra rubra, trichophylla and commutata.
Festuca RUBRA RUBRA is the most robust and widely adapted of the three subspecies. It establishes faster than the other two types, and its uses include overseeding/renovation of established lawns, and as a component in mixtures of medium quality. With its strong runners, it can quickly cover bare patches in the lawn.
In developing new varieties, DLF-TRIFOLIUM focuses on:
Click here for information on varieties.
Festuca rubra TRICHOPHYLLA has short runners and is thus also able to cover holes in the lawn, but not to the same degree as rubra rubra. The shoot density is very high, and the species tolerates close mowing. Trichophylla gives the most attractive lawn in summer, when it is hot and slightly dry.
Its salt tolerance makes it a good partner in mixtures for roadsides and parks where salt is used on winter paths.
The breeding focuses on:
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High shoot density
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Tolerance to frequent close mowing
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Increased resistance to fungal diseases such as red thread (Laetisaria fuciformis)
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Increased resistance to snow mold
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Good color and growt especially in low moisture situations
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High seed yield
Information on varieties
Festuca rubra COMMUTATA does not have runners, but it does have a very high shoot density. It is very suitable for low mowing, and is therefore an important component in quality mixtures. By combining the best properties of the subspecies commutata and trichophylla (shoot density, runners, summer quality) in mixtures, it is possible to obtain high quality lawns that maintain their quality all year long.
Breeding is focused on:
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Combining fine lawn quality with high seed yield
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Developing types with good summer color
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Improving shoot density
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Devloping varieties that tolerate close mowing.
Click here for information on varieties.
The table below indicates some general differences between the three subspecies. These properties can be combined by sowing a mixture of the three types.
