Low Growing Fescue: 3 Beautiful and Easy to Maintain Options for Your Lawn

When it comes to creating a lush and beautiful lawn, many homeowners are turning to low growing fescue grass.

With its numerous varieties and benefits, low-growing fescues are gaining popularity across various landscapes. In this article, we will explore four different types of grass mixes with low growing fescues: Low Grow Grass Mixture, Low Maintenance Grass Mix, and Emerald III Tall Fescue Blend.

low grow fescue grass seed

Table of Contents

3 Different Low Grow Grass Seed Mixes

Introducing our Low Grow Mix, your solution to a low-maintenance, lush green landscape.

low grow grass seed mix

If you are tired of spending countless hours mowing your lawn, yet still want to enjoy a consistently vibrant and green environment around your home, Low Grow Grass Mixture is a specially designed scruffy lawn-type that offers the perfect balance between low maintenance and aesthetic appeal. Varieties may change depending on availability but usually contain the following grasses:

  • 30% Crested Wheatgrass
  • 25% Perennial Ryegrass
  • 20% Sheep Fescue
  • 15% Chewings Fescue
  • 10% Canada Bluegrass

Ideal for areas in the foothills where regular mowing is not desired, Low Grow Mix is the go-to solution for homeowners seeking uniform greenness without the hassle of frequent upkeep. Crafted from a selection of fescue varieties, this mix maintains a charmingly scruffy appearance, like a bad haircut.

A perfect blend that thrives in cooler climates and higher altitudes (up to 8,000 ft). Not only that but low-grow grass mixtures are also well-suited for erosion control and creating seamless transition turf areas.

By using this low-grow grass mixture, you contribute to water conservation efforts, as this blend has been carefully crafted to thrive with less water. This means you can have a lush and vibrant lawn while being environmentally responsible.

Whether you want to create a meadow-like setting or add visual interest to underutilized areas of your property. Its versatility allows for creative landscaping possibilities that can transform your surroundings into a picturesque retreat.

low grow seed mix

Unlike traditional turf varieties, our Low Maintenance Grass Mix doesn’t stitch together to form a conventional “turf lawn”. Instead, it can be densely sown to cover the ground like a ‘lawn’ without forming a thick mat. The clumpy nature of these grass varieties allows for mixing with wildflowers without choking them out, enhancing the visual interest of your landscape.

This blend comprises low-growing fescue grass varieties that require minimal upkeep. It has a deep root system, which makes it more drought-tolerant compared to other grass types.

With reduced watering needs and lower fertilizer requirements, this mix helps conserve water and is environmentally friendly.

This low-growing mix boasts a beautiful dark green color that remains consistent throughout the year, even into late fall. Its shade tolerance makes it an excellent choice for areas with minimal water availability.

Whether you have transition areas in your backyard, parks, ditch banks, road cuts, berms, or golf course roughs, Low Maintenance Grass Mix is the ideal solution for low-maintenance landscapes.

The mature height of this grass is 6-12″, providing a lush and well-maintained appearance. It retains its green color well into late fall, adding vibrancy to your landscape. For those who prefer a shorter lawn, it can be mowed twice a year at a height of 4-6″. This mowing frequency helps maintain its low-growing nature.

An additional benefit of this mix is its compatibility with wildflowers. By combining it with wildflowers, you can create a stunning “meadow” effect, enhancing the beauty of your landscape.

short growing grass seed

This Low Maintenance Grass and Wildflowers Mix is the perfect combination of grasses and wildflowers that thrive in low-maintenance areas. This mix includes Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Indian Ricegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass for the grass component.

Adding to the beauty of this mix are wildflowers such as Purple Prairie Clover, Blue Flax, Firewheel, Indian Blanket, Rocky Mountain Penstemon, and more. These wildflowers will enhance the visual appeal of your landscape with their vibrant colors and natural charm.

Another durable and visually appealing grass option for your lawn is the Emerald III Tall Fescue Blend. This is a Turf mix, so of course low growing. Don’t let the name “Tall Fescue” mislead you.

Known for its exceptional characteristics, this blend is an excellent choice for various applications. We will explore the features, benefits, planting zones, and the ideal time of the year for seeding Emerald III Tall Fescue Blend.

low growing fescue grass

Characteristics of Emerald III Tall Fescue Blend

The Emerald III Tall Fescue Blend is a carefully crafted mixture of top-performing tall fescue grass cultivars.

Tall fescue is known for its adaptability to a wide range of soil conditions and its ability to withstand high traffic, shade, and drought.

The Emerald III Blend takes these characteristics to the next level, making it a superior choice for homeowners and landscapers alike.

This blend showcases thin-bladed turfgrass varieties that provide excellent density and turf quality. The fine texture and dark green color of Emerald III create a lush and visually appealing lawn that will enhance the beauty of your landscape.

Applications and Contribution to the Environment

Emerald III Tall Fescue Blend is versatile and well-suited for a variety of applications. Whether it’s a residential lawn, park, sports field, or commercial landscape, this blend delivers exceptional performance and aesthetics. Its ability to handle high foot traffic and recover quickly from wear and tear makes it an ideal choice for areas where durability is essential.

From an environmental standpoint, Emerald III Tall Fescue Blend offers numerous benefits. Its deep root system helps with erosion control and improves soil health. The dense growth also helps to prevent weed infiltration, reducing the need for herbicides. Additionally, the tolerance to shade reduces the need for excessive pruning of surrounding trees and shrubs, thereby creating a more sustainable and low-maintenance landscape.

Planting Zone and Seeding Time

Emerald III Tall Fescue Blend is well-suited for planting in cool-season regions. It thrives in planting zones 3 to 7, which includes areas with colder winters and milder summers. This grass blend can withstand temperatures both below freezing and high heat, making it an ideal choice for a broad range of climates.

The best time for seeding the Emerald III Tall Fescue Blend is during the fall season. The cooler temperatures and increased moisture create ideal conditions for seed germination and establishment. Seeding in autumn allows the grass to establish strong roots before winter, ensuring a healthier and more resilient lawn when spring arrives. It is important to note that proper soil preparation and regular irrigation during the establishment phase are key to achieving optimal results.

Low Grow Grass Comparison Table

GrassZoneWater ConsumptionWeatherSeeding SeasonApplicationsMaintenance
Low Grow Grass Mix3-9LowAdaptable to most climatesSpring, FallResidential lawns, landscapes, parksLow
Low Maintenance Grass Mix3-9Low-ModerateAdaptable to most climatesSpring, FallResidential lawns, commercial landscapesLow
Emerald III Tall Fescue Blen3-7Moderate-HighAdaptable to cool climatesFallResidential lawns, commercial landscapes, sports fieldsModerate

When choosing the right grass variety for your specific needs, consider factors such as your climate zone, desired water consumption, weather conditions, ideal seeding season, intended applications, and preferred level of maintenance named above.

Low Growing Fescue Grass FAQs

Q: What is low grow fescue?

A: The Low Grow Grass Mix is perfect for low-maintenance lawns. Comprised of fescues that naturally grow close to the ground, this blend forms a dense and flowing carpet. It thrives in areas with full sun to partial shade. With minimal inputs, it can flourish with just a few annual cuts.

Q: Is there a short fescue?

A: Achieve a short and low-maintenance lawn with this special Emerald III Blend. Enjoy all the benefits of a turf grass lawn without the excessive maintenance and watering.

Q: What are the disadvantages of fescue grass?

A: Tall fescue has many advantages, but there are a few things to keep in mind. While it is drought-tolerant, it can suffer if it goes without significant water for more than 100 days. Additionally, in hot and humid regions, there is a risk of brown patch disease affecting tall fescue.

Q: What is the difference between tall fescue and dwarf fescue?

A: The main distinction between dwarf and regular tall fescue lies in the texture of the grass. Regular tall fescue has a wide blade, resulting in a coarse appearance when mowed at 3 inches or more. On the other hand, dwarf varieties have narrower blades and a softer appearance, akin to bluegrass and other fine leaf rye grasses.

Q: Does fescue grow in low desert?

A: Tall fescue is tolerant of many soil types and can grow in the transition zone located in the Mojave Desert.