This well known perennial forms clumps when left to mature. It grows early
in the spring and has a comprehensive root structure travelling to depth and
therefore thrives on light, free draining soil. It is equally at home on soils
prone to flooding. It harbours insects and is a good choice for this reason
alone. However, due to its dominant
Cocksfoot
(Dactylis glomerata)
presence in the sward it is best to restrict its inclusion in mixtures. It
is palatable only when grazed frequently.
(1,000,000 seeds per kg)
£3.77 per kg
Also known as chewings fescue, this is a fine leaved tufted grass. It is distinguished
from creeping red fescue by its absence of creeping rhizomes. It tolerates
drought well and can be easily found on well drained, gravelly, chalky and
sandy soils in the south. It forms a dense turf and is one of the main species
used with bentgrass to form lawns.
Red
Fescue (Festuca rubra commutata)
It offers few agricultural benefits.
(1,000,000 seeds per kg)
£3.00 per kg
Formerly a grazing grass, this compact tufted perennial is found in abundance
in sheep pastures. It is not aggressive and grows well late into the season
when other grasses are giving up. It grows in most areas but is found naturally
on dry soils. Even clays support this grass and it is likely to find its way
into most seed mixtures. It has good winter
Crested
Dogstail (Cynosurus cristatus)
greenness but is inclined to produce wiry stems if left unmown or ungrazed.
(1,600,000 seeds per kg)
£7.91 per kg
When sown with non aggressive grasses this fescue can form beneficial tussocks.
It is one of the larger fescues and is a valuable grazing grass which can
also be made into hay. It will grow on nearly all soils ranging from light,
brashy types to stiff clays.
(500,000 seeds per kg)
Meadow
Fescue (Festuca pratensis)
£2.92 per kg
A tufted perennial which is widespread throughout
the British Isles. It is commonly found in low lying areas particularly in
river meadows. It is nutritious and palatable to stock and is one of the first
grasses to flower in the spring. In cases where hay making is possible it
makes a useful contribution to yields. It is a difficult
Meadow
Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis)
species to produce seed from and this is reflected in the price.
(2,000,000 seeds per kg)
£34.82 per kg
The finest leaved and least aggressive fescue which allows other delicate
species room to establish. It only grows to 6 - 10” and is very hardy
and can be found in all areas of the UK. Although it provides only low levels
of production, the forage it produces is of reasonable quality. It will grow
on most soils and tolerates low fertility situations.
Sheeps
Fescue (Festuca ovina)
(1,200,000 seeds per kg)
£3.04 per kg
This perennial has creeping rhizomes and is particularly drought resistant.
It can be found readily throughout the UK, particularly on lighter soils.
It should not be late sown in the autumn as it slow to establish. It is early
to grow in the spring and once topped or cut it tends not to re-flower so
aftermath growth is leafy.
Smooth
Meadowgrass (Poa pratensis)
(3,000,000 seeds per kg)
£3.80 per kg
An early flowering grass, strongly scented with coumarin, often found in old
pastures and meadows. At one time it was included in seeds mixtures as its
scent was evident in hay but as it has a high proportion of stem to leaf it
is unpalatable to stock. It is an attractive grass but seed is a little expensive
so is usually included at a low percentage
Sweet
Vernal (Anthoxanthum odoratum)
in seed mixtures.
(2,500,000 seeds per kg)
£55.52 per kg
Possibly the most important and flexible species which is used both environmentally
and agriculturally. It is a very common species which can be found in pasture
throughout the UK. It will grow abundantly on heavy ground and although it
only has a shallow root structure it still persists well on lighter land in
dry years. From an agricultural
Timothy
(Phleum pratensis)
perspective Timothy is a very persistent and hardy grass, free of disease
and the forage it produces is acceptable to most classes of stock. There is
another form of Timothy known as smaller catstail (Phleum bertolonii), which
is shorter and less dominant.
(2,500,000 seeds per kg)
£3.13 per kg
Smaller catstail £10.35 per kg
This common grass, as its name implies, has creeping roots which enable it
to remain green in dry times. Pastures can benefit from this grass as it makes
a good bottom but this can also be a disadvantage as it stifles some of the
more delicate species. It should therefore be used with caution. An alternative
fescue, such as sheeps, red or slender
Creeping
Red Fescue (Festuca rubra rubra)
creeping red will allow the development of finer species. However, creeping
red fescue is an inexpensive seed and can be included in simple mixtures,
particularly those with cocksfoot.
(950,000 seeds per kg)
£2.60 per kg
The largest fescue which forms large dense tussocks. It can grow to six feet
tall particularly on damp or wet soils on which it is most suited. It is less
palatable than Meadow Fescue and so has less appeal to farmers who intend
to utilise the species for forage production.
(350,000 seeds per kg)
Tall
Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
£5.06 per kg
This delicately flowered grass has been included in the majority of agri-environmental
schemes. It has a tiny seed and only needs including in mixtures at low levels.
It is a creeping grass and although it has little agricultural value it is
a very common species in old grasslands. It is adaptable to most soils and
is drought tolerant.
