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Home » Shop » Chewing’s Fescue (Festuca rubra commutata)

Chewing’s Fescue (Festuca rubra commutata)

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£85.00 – £160.00

Chewing’s Fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. commutata) is a perennial grass species known for its fine texture, resilience, and adaptability. It has an earlier growth pattern than slender creeping red fescue, making the two species ideal companions in mixtures.

Chewing’s Fescue gets its name from George Chewings, a New Zealand agronomist and seed merchant. George Chewings was instrumental in promoting and distributing this particular type of fescue grass in the early 20th century. His work in developing and popularizing this fine-leaved fescue for use in lawns and turf led to the grass being named in his honor.

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Chewing’s Fescue Appearance:

Height: Typically grows to a height of 30-60 cm.
Leaves: The leaves are fine, narrow, and dark green, usually 0.5-1.0 mm wide and up to 20 cm long. They have a slightly rough texture and a characteristic rolled or folded appearance.
Flowering Head: The flowering head is a loose, open panicle that can be 5-15 cm long. It has a delicate, airy appearance with branches that spread outwards.
Spikelets: The spikelets are small, green to purplish, and loosely arranged along the branches of the panicle. Each spikelet contains several florets.
Growth Habit: Forms dense, tufted clumps. Unlike other fescues, Chewing’s Fescue does not spread by rhizomes but forms a dense sod through tillering.

Chewing’s Fescue Habitat:

Soil Preference: Prefers well-drained, fertile soils but can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It grows well in both acidic and alkaline soils.
Light Requirement: Grows well in full sun to partial shade. It is commonly found in meadows, pastures, lawns, and along roadsides.
Habitat: Thrives in cool, temperate climates and is often used in lawns, golf courses, and for erosion control.

Bag Sizes: 10kg, 20kg

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FAQs

What is Kentucky Bluegrass used for?

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is widely used for lawns and sports fields due to its dense, lush, and resilient turf. Its fine-textured, dark green blades create an attractive and durable lawn, making it a popular choice for residential and commercial landscaping. Kentucky Bluegrass is highly valued in sports fields and golf courses for its ability to withstand heavy foot traffic and quickly recover from damage.

How can you identity Kentucky Bluegrass?

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) can be identified by several distinctive features. It typically forms a dense, lush turf with fine-textured, dark green blades. The leaves are narrow, around 2-4 mm wide, and have a characteristic boat-shaped tip. The leaf blades are smooth and have a prominent midrib. The grass spreads through underground rhizomes, creating a thick, mat-like growth. During the flowering season, it produces loose, open panicles with tiny spikelets that are often purplish at the base. Kentucky Bluegrass prefers well-drained soils and is commonly found in lawns, athletic fields, and pastures in temperate climates. These identifying characteristics—fine texture, boat-shaped leaf tips, and rhizomatous growth—help distinguish it from other grass species.

Where does Kentucky Bluegrass grow?

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) thrives in temperate regions and is commonly found in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. It prefers cool, moist climates and well-drained, fertile soils. This grass is widely used in lawns, parks, golf courses, athletic fields, and pastures due to its dense, lush growth and resilience to foot traffic. In North America, it is particularly prevalent in the northern United States and southern Canada. Kentucky Bluegrass is adapted to a range of soil types but performs best in areas with moderate rainfall and cool temperatures, where it can maintain its vibrant green color and dense turf.

What soil type does Kentucky Bluegrass prefer?

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) prefers well-drained, fertile soils that are rich in organic matter. It thrives best in loamy soils, which provide a good balance of drainage and moisture retention. The grass can tolerate a range of soil pH levels, from slightly acidic to neutral (approximately pH 6.0 to 7.0). While it can grow in various soil types, including clay and sandy soils, Kentucky Bluegrass performs optimally in soils that are neither too heavy nor too light, ensuring sufficient root development and nutrient uptake. Consistent moisture is essential for maintaining its lush, green appearance, but the soil should not be waterlogged, as excessive moisture can lead to root diseases.

Where does the name Kentucky Bluegrass come from?

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) gets its name from the U.S. state of Kentucky, where it is widely grown and thrives in the region’s climate and soil conditions. The term “bluegrass” refers to the bluish-green hue of its leaves and the bluish tinge that can appear when the grass is in bloom, particularly when viewed from a distance. Kentucky became synonymous with this grass due to its extensive use in the state’s pastures and lawns, leading to the common name “Kentucky Bluegrass.”

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