Hard, Sheep’s and Strong creeping red fescues

Greens, Close Mown Trials (Mown at 4-5mm)

The performance of strong creeping red fescues, hard fescues and Sheep’s fescues have been evaluated as a group for use in close mown turf (Table G5). These grasses tolerate a degree of close mowing and can form an attractive close mown turf. They could be used as an alternative to, or in combination with, Chewings and slender creeping red fescue for many fine turf uses. However, they will not match superior Chewings and slender creeping red fescue cultivars for use in high quality golf greens. Sheep’s fescues tend to form noticeable growth patterns (whorls) in fine turf. This is not unattractive but can make them difficult to stripe up with a mower.

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Table G5

Hard, Sheep’s and Strong creeping red fescues (Festuca spp)

Cultivar Shoot Density Visual Merit Mean Resistance to Red Thread Winter Greenness Summer Greenness UK Agent
Quatro (SF) 8.2 8.1 8.2 7.2 7.4 7.5 DLF/JNS
Hardtop (HF) 6.6 6.3 6.5 7.1 7.9 7.1 BAR
Rossinante (SCRF) 5.9 6.3 6.1 5.9 5.7 5.4 DLF/JNS
Barrisse (SCRF) 6.0 6.0 6.0 5.4 5.1 BAR
Runa (SCRF) 5.5 5.6 5.5 5.8 5.6 5.0 DLF
Hastings (SCRF) 5.3 5.5 5.4 4.9 5.4 5.2 OAS/TG
Mentor (HF) 4.8 4.9 4.8 7.0 5.4 6.3 DSV

Blank cell = Data not available
Bold = New cultivar
(HF) = Hard fescue (Festuca longifolia)
(SF) = Sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina)
(SCRF) = Strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra rubra)

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Turfgrass Resources

Turfgrass UK Agents

The seed merchants listed below are primary agents for grasses listed in this booklet. Short codes have been given so that the grasses listed in the different tables can be cross-referenced with their suppliers.

Names and addresses of other breeders and suppliers, with only a restricted number of varieties in the booklet, are available from the BSPB.

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