Species red fescue Guide
lime-green foliage and stems with lime spikelets

red fescue

Festuca rubra 'Pennlawn'

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Vegetative Plugging,Stolon,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 6

Flowers:

Green Flowers

Sun:

Part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Red fescue (Festuca rubra 'Pennlawn') prefers moist, well-drained soil and should be watered regularly. A deep soaking once or twice a week is best, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. You can tell when your fescue needs water if its foliage starts to look a little droopy and its color begins to fade. In hot weather, more frequent watering will be required; if the soil and air temperatures are above 70°F, water more often and use cooler water. Be careful not to overwater, as too much or too frequent watering can cause the roots to rot. In general, you should give your red fescue about 1 inch of water per week.

sunlight

Red fescue prefers full sun, but is tolerant of partial shade. It thrive in soil with regular irrigation, and ideally, should get 10 to 12 hours of sunlight per day during the growing season. It will tolerate lower light levels, especially during the peak heat of summer, but may not flower. Red fescue will flower best in full sun with moist soil. If your red fescue is receiving too little light or dry conditions, it may need more water and fertilizer.

pruning

Red Fescue (Festuca rubra 'Pennlawn') requires minimal pruning to stay healthy. It should be pruned once per growing season, typically in early spring or mid-summer. During this time, remove any dead or discolored foliage, along with any flowering stalks. Also, carefully trim away any low-lying or leggy foliage. This will help encourage fuller growth and promote better air circulation around the base of the plant. After pruning, look for any areas that need to be thinned out, and trim or mow away any excess growth.