Fescue – Native Red

Native Red Fescue is considered by many to be native to the northern coastal regions of the United States, but it has been introduced throughout much of the rest of the world. It grows in dry or wet habitats at elevations ranging from sea level to alpine. Native Red Fescue can be planted in many different soil compositions and has moderate forbearance of ground with low fertility. This fescue is rated good as forage for cattle and horses. It is an optimum pasture feed crop on alpine ranges because even through frost its foliage retains all of its nutritional value and does not die off, offering livestock sustenance until the snowpack is too deep to allow for its consumption. If overgrazed, Native Red Fescue will decrease in density. It is not adaptable to areas that experience high levels of sulfuric pollution or fumigation. Tolerant of shade and drought, this fescue will mature around 2 feet tall.