Like ryegrass, fine fescues germinate and establish quickly. Fine fescues form a very fine-textured turf of high shoot density. Drought tolerance is superior to bluegrass. However, during periods of hot, dry weather, the fine fescues may lose their color rapidly. Improved varieties of fine fescues include Ensylva, Highlight, Fortress, Jamestown, Atlanta, Biljart and others.
Tall fescue is the most heat and drought tolerant of the cool-season grasses.
It is often used where a low-maintenance lawn is desired. Tall fescues are medium to dark green in color and are coarse textured. They are bunch-type grasses that must be planted thick to form a good sod. When tall fescue is maintained at three inches, weeds will rarely be a problem. There are few serious disease or insect problems with tall fescue, and thatch is rarely a problem unless the lawn is overwatered or overfertilized.