Cultivar Profiles

Top Rated Varieties for Superior Performance

PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
Lolium perenne
Approx 750,000 seeds/kg

Fast establishment
Very High Wear Tolerance
Fast re-growth of tillers and leaves

Perennial ryegrass is the fastest establishing species of all the turf grasses. It prefers milder climates but tolerates low temperatures. In temperate climates perennial ryegrass is a true perennial with a high persistence. It can be utilised on most soil types, with the exception of very wet land. Late heading varieties tend to be better under low input utilisation due to less stem formation in mid summer. Some of our new varieties like Sirtaky and Cassiopeia have exceptional density and very fine leaves.

Persistent High Wear tolerance
Good recovery

Found in nature on both mineral and humus-rich soils in both northern and southern hemispheres. Fine-leaved varieties with excellent turf qualities have been selected. Poa pratensis isa persistent specie with strong rhizomes and erect leafy shoots. Growth starts early in the spring and re-growth consists mainly of leafy material that is mown very easily and gives a clean cut. Poa pratensis tolerates hard wear and because of it’s rhizomes, can regenerate itself even if the sward is very badly damaged. The heat tolerance of Poa pratensis is good.

STRONG CREEPING RED FESCUE (CRF)
Festuca rubra

Persistent High Stress tolerance
Good drought resistance

Red fescue is a fine-leafed perennial grass. Strong-creeping varieties have more vigorous spreading rhizomes and typically form open patches, rather than dense tufts. Red fescue can be found in most grass mixes ranging from lawns and pastures to sea-cliffs. It will grow in most soils apart from water logged or highly acidic. It is a relatively slow growing and stress tolerant grass; preferring free draining, low fertility, neutral to calcareous soils. When established red fescue is a very long-lived grass able to withstand drought and nutrient shortages. Tolerant of frequent close mowing and grazing responding by producing a fine turf. Strong creeping red fescue is not as fine as Slender creeping red fescue. Fresh growth of red fescue is quite palatable to livestock, with a longer growing season, making it ideal for pastures. Red fescue can also be a useful structural component, providing a strong base for a mown or grazed sward.    

SLENDER CREEPING RED FESCUE (CRF)
Festuca rubra litoralis

High Salt tolerance
Good drought resistance

Red fescue is a fine-leafed perennial grass. Slender CRF has a high shoot density and a fine needle like leaf and tolerate low and frequent mowing. It is good for regenerating worn areas. Slender CRF has a moderately high salt tolerance making it well suited to roadsides, parks and any other areas where salt is used as a de-icer. It has a creeping growth habit with short rhizomes. The ligules of slender CRF are typically short and blunt. A reasonably hardy grass, it will grow in all soils, preferring neutral or acidic meaning it will grow almost anywhere in the UK. Slender CRF also has a high drought and shade tolerance, making it a true all rounder.

SHEEPS FESCUE 
Festuca ovina

High Stress tolerance
High drought tolerance

Sheeps fescue is a densely tufted grass, with fine bluish grey leaves. Fast to establish and found through the UK. Sheeps fescue are very stress and drought tolerant, being able to withstand some of the toughest conditions including coastal areas and cooler climates. They can be found in poor and shallow soils that are usually well drained. With a lower Nitrogen requirement they are suited to poorer areas. It is very quick top recover and has an extremely high wear tolerance; making it a useful species to include in grazing and sports mixtures. Sheeps fescue can also germinate at cooler temperatures, therefore the planting season isn’t as restricted and it can be planted in harsher conditions.

HARD FESCUE 
Festuca trachyphylla

High Stress tolerance
High drought tolerance

Hard fescues are very similar to Sheeps fescue. Hard fescue is a highly drought tolerant fescue with a low nutrient demand. Can be used in a wide variety of mixes as it is such a diverse species. Suitable for golf courses through to roadsides. Can be mown down to as little as 5mm, alternatively if left to mature produces a very attractive head. A useful species for low maintenance areas as is low growing. Hard fescue has a high tolerance to environmental and maintenance extremes. As a result they can be planted in a wide range of soils from acidic to alkaline. This grass can even tolerate the hottest summers and the coldest winters. Hard fescue is a very dense and fine leafed plant that grows in tufts.

TALL FESCUE 
Festuca arundinacea

High tolerance of temperature extremes
Drought tolerance

Tall fescue grass is a perennial grass distinguished by its height and coarse leaves. It is a cool season grass that vigorously grows during the cooler Spring and Autumn months. This is due to its good resistance to extremes of heat and cold, making it tolerant of both frost and drought. Tall fescue has a moderate to good wear tolerance. Tall fescues are included in a lot of grazing mixes as they compliment a ryegrass mix and are highly palatable. 

BROWNTOP BENT 
Agrostis capillaris syn. tenuis

High tolerance of temperature extremes
Drought tolerance

Browntop Bent grass is a perennial grass. It is a cool season grass that vigorously grows during the cooler Spring and Autumn months. Found mainly in amenity situations such as golf courses or ornamental lawns. With fine leaves and a high shoot density it produces a soft even turf with an attractive dark green colour. Browntop Bent is a slow growing grass, therefore widely used in wildflower mixes as it doesn’t out compete the flowers. Also works well in amenity mixes as it adds strength and colour. Can be mown down to 5mm and tolerates poorer soils. 

ROUGH STALKED MEADOW GRASS
Poa trivialis

Good shade tolerance
Fast establishment

Rough stalked meadow grass (RSMG) is a fast establishing erect growth perennial grass. It has good shade tolerance therefore thriving in areas of low light. A fine and dense leafed plant with an erect growth habit. Has a rich dark green colour. Good frost tolerance so adds winter hardiness to mixes its included in. Thrives in heavy and damp soils. Included in grazing mixes to add height and shade tolerance. 

CHEWINGS FESCUE
Festuca rubra sus

Good disease tolerance
Visually appealing

Chewings fescue are a species of red fescue. They differ from slender CRF and strong as they lack rhizomes and have a bunch- type growth habit. Growing in tufts with a high shoot density chewings fescue add colour to any mix. It has a good all year round colour and can tolerate being closely mown and always has a strong visual appeal. Again chewings fescue is a cool season grass, vigorously growing in the cooler spring and autumn  months. Chewing fescues has roots that bunch together, as a result they can help to resist weeds. It also has good disease resistance. Good shade tolerance can tolerate acidic and sandy soils, but prefers well drained soils to thrive. Very low maintenance as requires little water and nutrients therefore making it ideal for roadsides.