Tall Fescue is an extremely drought tolerant grass. For the summers which we have shared as of late, this variety may be a real blessing. It is excellent for use in low maintenance areas, but it is more sensitive to cold wintering. It should be seeded prior to August to allow time for proper establishment prior to winter. It is tolerant to high traffic and has good recovery, however overseeding may be necessary.
Many new cultivars have endophyte enhancement which discourages insects such as chinch bugs.
It may act as a nurse grass for other more permanent varities. Most new turf-type Perennial Ryegrasses also contain endophyte which provides a natural resistance to leaf feeding insects such as Billbug, Sod Webworm, and Chinchbugs. It has limited cold weather tolerance. Supranova Poa Supina is a new species, which has been developed over the last 20 years. No other species outperforms this variety in the shade.