Westerwold Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum west.)
Annual Species
Contains annual plants which usually die once they have flowered. Most annuals establish and set seed in the same year.
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.
Ref: WW. This annual form of ryegrass is very fast to establish. It is the only grass to produce a stem and seed head from a spring sowing making it good for the production of hay for horses. A very good N Lifter, it is very quick to make a large root mass making it suitable as a green manure. It is a cheaper alternative to cereal rye making it very popular. Used on its own or as a companion to N-fixing vetch. More details...
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Westerwold Ryegrass ORGANIC (Lolium multiflorum west.)
Annual Species
Contains annual plants which usually die once they have flowered. Most annuals establish and set seed in the same year.
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.Ref: WESTER. This annual form of ryegrass is very fast to establish. It is the only grass to produce a stem and seed head from a spring sowing making it good for the production of hay for horses. A very good N Lifter, it is very quick to make a large root mass making it suitable as a green manure. It is a cheaper alternative to cereal rye making it very popular. Used on its own or as a companion to N-fixing vetch. More details...
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.Ref: IRTET. This is a short lived grass lasting for two years. It is very high yielding and reliably provides up to 18t DM per hectare on soils that suit it. (All ryegrasses yield less on light soils, especially in low rainfall areas.) It has a very open growth habit with fewer tillers than other grasses. It is therefore better suited to cutting than grazing. More details...
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Italian Ryegrass ORGANIC (Lolium multiflorum)
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.Ref: IRGENO. This is a short lived grass lasting for two years. It is very high yielding and reliably provides up to 18t DM per hectare on soils that suit it. (All ryegrasses yield less on light soils, especially in low rainfall areas.) It has a very open growth habit with fewer tillers than other grasses. It is therefore better suited to cutting than grazing. More details...
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Festulolium (Festulolium)
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.Ref: FEST. A recent development in plant breeding has produced this natural hybridisation of ryegrass and fescue, combining the stress resistant genes of fescue with the bulky yield of ryegrass, improving drought resistance with high yield. More details...
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Hybrid Ryegrass (Lolium x hybridum hasskn)
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.Ref: HYBRIDRG. This ryegrass species combines the longer persistance of perennial ryegrass with the high yield of Italian ryegrass, it can be relied upon for upto 4 years and provides superior grazing to Italian ryegrass swards. More details...
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Hybrid Ryegrass ORGANIC (Lolium hybridum x hasskn)
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.Ref: HYBRIDRGO. This ryegrass species combines the longer persistance of perennial ryegrass with the high yield of Italian ryegrass, it can be relied upon for upto 4 years and provides superior grazing to Italian ryegrass swards. More details...
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Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.Ref: IP. Perennial ryegrass lasts around 5 years which is considerably longer than the higher yielding Italian and westerwolds ryegrasses. It yields around 13t DM per hectare, it is flexible in use because it can be grazed or cut. It may be made into silage, haylage or hay later in the season. Intermediate varieties generally head around the 3rd and 4th week of May. More details...
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Perennial Ryegrass ORGANIC
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.Ref: IPO. Perennial ryegrass lasts around 5 years which is considerably longer than the higher yielding Italian and westerwolds ryegrasses. It yields around 13t DM per hectare, it is flexible in use because it can be grazed or cut. It may be made into silage, haylage or hay later in the season. Intermediate varieties generally head around the 3rd and 4th week of May.Not suitable as lawn seed. More details...
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Dwarf / Turf Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.
Mowing Height Low
Contains grasses that can be mown low to the ground once established. For producing a very fine turf for good quality mowers.Ref: DWARF. Dwarf ryegrass is a specifically bred strain of perennial ryegrass, selected for its shorter growth habit and its ability to produce more tillers and subsequently a thicker sward than standard ryegrasses. Dwarf ryegrass is primarily used in lawn and amenity mixtures where short growing species are preferable. More details...
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Cutting Suitability (1-5)
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Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata)
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.Ref: CF. This well-known perennial 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. Cocksfoot harbours insects and is a good choice for this reason. Due to its dominance in the sward, it is best to restrict its usage in mixes. It is palatable when grazed frequently. More details...
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Cocksfoot ORGANIC (Dactylis glomerata)
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Fast Establishment
Quick to establish with rapid growth. Very competitive against weeds and fast to recover after cutting/grazing.Ref: COCKO. This well-known perennial 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. Cocksfoot harbours insects and is a good choice for this reason. Due to its dominance in the sward, it is best to restrict its usage in mixes. It is palatable when grazed frequently. More details...
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Timothy (Phleum pratensis)
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: TIMOTHY. One of the most important and flexible species which is used both environmentally and agriculturally. 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. Timothy is a very persistent and hardy grass, free of disease. It is palatable to most classes of stock. More details...
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Timothy ORGANIC (Phleum pratensis)
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: TIMO. One of the most important and flexible species which is used both environmentally and agriculturally. 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. Timothy is a very persistent and hardy grass, free of disease. It is palatable to most classes of stock. More details...
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Smaller Catstail / Small Timothy (Phleum bertolonii)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: CATSTAIL. Smaller catstail, also know as small timothy, is shorter and less dominant than its bigger relative timothy. It is typically used in environmental mixtures where the smaller, less vigourous species are required. More details...
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Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: MF. 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). More details...
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Meadow Fescue ORGANIC (Festuca pra./Schedonorus pra.)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: MFO. 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). More details...
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Slender Creeping Red Fescue (Festuca rubra litoralis)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.
Mowing Height Low
Contains grasses that can be mown low to the ground once established. For producing a very fine turf for good quality mowers.Ref: SCRF. Slender creeping red fescue, as the name suggests, is a finer leaved relative of creeping red fescue and for this reason is commonly used in lawn mixtures. This attractive grass has good wear tolerance and is quick to establish. More details...
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Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: SWEETVER. An early flowering grass, strongly scented with coumarin, often found in old pastures and meadows. At one time it was included in seed 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 anattractive grass but seed is a little expensive so it is usually included at a low percentage in seed mixtures. More details...
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Cutting Suitability (1-5)
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Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass (Poa pratensis)
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: SSMG. 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 is 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. More details...
Persistence (0-10 Years)
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Sheeps Fescue (Festuca ovina)
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.
Mowing Height Low
Contains grasses that can be mown low to the ground once established. For producing a very fine turf for good quality mowers.Ref: SHEEPFES. The finest leaved and least aggressive fescue which allows other delicate species room to establish. It only grows to 6 - 10 inches 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 (1,200,000 seeds per kg). More details...
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Creeping Red Fescue (Festuca rubra rubra)
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: CRF. This common grass, has creeping roots which enable it to remain green in dry times. Pastures can benefit from this grass as it makes a good bottom. This can be a disadvantage as it can stifle more delicate species. An alternative fescue, such as sheeps, red or slender creeping red will allow the development of finer species. More details...
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Creeping Red Fecue ORGANIC (Festuca rubra rubra)
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: CRFORG. This common grass, has creeping roots which enable it to remain green in dry times. Pastures can benefit from this grass as it makes a good bottom. This can be a disadvantage as it can stifle more delicate species. An alternative fescue, such as sheeps, red or slender creeping red will allow the development of finer species. More details...
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Cutting Suitability (1-5)
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Red Fescue / Chewings Fescue (Festuca rubra commutata)
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: RF. Also known as chewings fescue, this fine leaved, tufted grass 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. It offers few agricultural benefits (1,000,000 seeds per kg). More details...
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Cutting Suitability (1-5)
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Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: FOXTAIL. A tufted perennial which is widespread throughout the British Isles. It is commonly found in lowland 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 species to produce seed from and this is reflected in the price. More details...
Persistence (0-10 Years)
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Bentgrass - Highland- (Agrostis capillaris)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: BENTGRASS. 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 (10,000,000 seeds per kg). More details...
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Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.
Mowing Height Low
Contains grasses that can be mown low to the ground once established. For producing a very fine turf for good quality mowers.
Fine Leaved
Best quality seeds for superior finish. Requiring care and time to establish, the end result is very attractive.Ref: BENTCREEP. This is a perennial grass which spreads by long stolons as the name suggests. More recent plant breeding has created varieities suitable for the amenity market, most notably golf greens and sports fields. More details...
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Rough Stalked Meadow Grass
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: RSMG. Rough stalk meadow grass is a very common species throughout the UK and Europe. It can be found in lowland pastures, river meadows and waste ground. Recognisable from its tufted habit and erect culms. It is generally leafy towards the base, and will fill out the bottom of the sward as it tolerates partial shading. More details...
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Grazing Suitability (1-5)
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Cutting Suitability (1-5)
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Quaking Grass (Briza media)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: QUAKING. A loosely tufted, dark green perennial, tolerant of shade and therefore often found in glades, woods and semi shaded hedgerows. More details...
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Tufted Hairgrass (Dechampsia caespitosa)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: HAIRGRASS. A notably tall, tufted perennial as it reaches maturity. The rich green, ribbed leaves and prominent panicle make it an eye catching addition to gardens. More details...
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Crested Hair Grass (Koeleria macrantha)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: HAIRCREST. A compact and tufter perennial, which suits dry, calcareous grassland areas, owing to its useful drought tolerance. It is slow growing and may be pushed out by more competitive grass species More details...
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Wood Meadow Grass (Poa nemoralis)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.Ref: WOOD. A loosely tufted, dark green perennial, tolerant of shade and therefore often found in glades, woods and semi shaded hedgerows. More details...
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Canary Grass (Phalaris aquatica)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.
Winter Hardy
Once properly established plants in this mix usually tolerate a typical British winter.Ref: CANAQU. This perennial grass is drilled in wide rows (60-90cm) and takes a year or so to become established. From the second year the seed heads will reach two metres and the crop can usually be relied upon for 10 years. Good for pheasants and partridges as well as linnets and wrens. Sow in May. More details...
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Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Slow Growing
Slower to establish but require much less maintenance and management.
Winter Hardy
Once properly established plants in this mix usually tolerate a typical British winter.Ref: REEDCAN. Grows taller than Canary grass and is more suitable to northern climates because it tolerates extreme cold weather. Reed Canary grass can be slow to establish, sometimes taking up to two years but it will tolerate a wide range of soil types. More details...
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Tall Fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea / Festuca arundinacea)
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.Ref: TALLFES. Tall fescue is found throughout the UK, it has similar features to meadow fescue, however it is taller and coarser, with a rough upper leaf and margins. The well developed root system means it is tolerant of drought, damp and frost. Recent thinking has altered the Latin so that the flat leaved fescues (meadow fescue and tall fescue) have been given their own genus, separate from the finer leaved fescues. More details...
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Tall Fescue ORGANIC (Schedonorus arundinacea / Festuca arundinacea
Drought Tolerant
Contains deep rooted plants. Grows better in dry weather than shallow rooted species. Massively improves soil structure.
Persistent Plants
Perennial species which survive for several or many years, saving money on establishment costs.
Grass Only
Intensive production for maximum yield of forage with high nitrogen applications.Ref: TALLFESO. Tall fescue is found throughout the UK, it has similar features to meadow fescue, however it is taller and coarser, with a rough upper leaf and margins. The well developed root system means it is tolerant of drought, damp and frost. Recent thinking has altered the Latin so that the flat leaved fescues (meadow fescue and tall fescue) have been given their own genus, separate from the finer leaved fescues. More details...
