Lawns

Perennial ryegrasses are ranked in Table L1, smooth-stalked meadow-grasses in Table L2, tall fescues in Table L8 and tufted hair-grass in Table L9 on their mean performance for shoot density, fineness of leaf, slow regrowth and visual merit.

Fescues are ranked in Tables L3 to L6 on their mean performance for shoot density and visual merit.

Bentgrasses are ranked in Table L7 on the mean of their shoot density, fineness of leaf and visual merit.

In addition to differences among cultivars, there are some general sub-species differences among the red fescues. Chewings fescues in comparison with slender creeping red fescues tend to be more resistant to diseases. They also tend to “green up” faster in the spring. The slender creeping red fescues are more drought tolerant and maintain colour and growth better in the autumn and early winter. Both Chewings and slender creeping red fescues are more tolerant of closer mowing than strong creeping red fescues and produce denser turf at all heights of cut.

Cultivars of hard fescue are shown in order of suitability for use in fine turf in Table L6. These grasses, along with the sheep’s fescues may be used for fine turf in very dry or infertile conditions.

They are also suited to low maintenance conditions and may be of value in environmentally sensitive areas, particularly where the natural grasses are of the same species. Please note that sheep’s and fine leaved sheep’s fescues tend to grow in different directions and as such do not produce a uniform sward. Also, most of these grasses have been found to be fairly intolerant of wear and as a result should only be considered for use in ornamental and low maintenance areas. In contrast Quatro sheep’s fescue has been found to be fairly wear tolerant. In golf and bowling green trials at the STRI this cultivar has been shown to have comparable wear tolerance to Chewings and slender creeping red fescues.

Generally, cultivars of tall fescue form turf that would be acceptable for many coarse turfgrass uses. However, they are no substitute for perennial ryegrass in normal turf situations in the UK. Tall fescues are slower in establishment, coarser in leaf texture, and as a result, less attractive in appearance. They may however, have a place under dry or low fertility conditions. Tall fescues have also been used successfully where fairly tall (15 – 20cm) but still erect swards are desirable, such as the grassed areas surrounding airfields. New improved cultivars of this grass type, some with rhizomes, are starting to become available. These grasses produce lawns of acceptable quality, particularly where fertility and water might be restricted.

Tufted hair-grass is naturally adapted to damp and shady conditions. In turf the grass forms a dense upright sward, which is fairly tolerant of wear.