Grass Guide: Fescue
Fescue's adaptability to both cool and warm climates makes it a hit with homeowners.

Image courtesy of Bayer CropScience

A fine-textured yet hardy grass, fescue does very well in “in-between” zones where temperatures become too cool for warm weather varieties and also too hot for cool weather grass. Fescue does well in shade and also in areas where traffic is high, making it a popular choice for homeowners.
Climate
While best suited for cooler climates, it fares well in areas with a wide temperature range. Common throughout the northern and central states, it is least successful in the South, where average temperatures are high.
Sun/Shade
Extremely shade-tolerant, fescue is popular in areas where direct sunlight in limited.
Water
Some watering is necessary during times of high heat or drought, but does very well without significant watering in most conditions.
Pros:
- Stays green year round
- Durable
- Low maintenance
- Does well with limited direct sunlight
Cons:
- Will go dormant under extreme conditions
- Does poorly in consistently hot climate