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Chapter 5: Cultivars and Species for Use in Alaska

Commercially Available Species and Cultivars

Fescue, Red
‘Arctared’ red fescue (pdf file)
Festuca rubra, Cultivar

‘Arctared’ red fescue was released in 1965 as a revegetation species showing extreme hardiness throughout Alaska (Hodgson, 1978). The overly aggressive, sod-forming nature of this species often makes this cultivar unacceptable in reclamation. However, the cultivar is outstanding for erosion control. Also, the aggressive nature of this sod-forming species may be utilized to prevent the invasion of native shrub species such as alder and willow. The University of Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station and the USDA cooperatively developed the cultivar.

Figure 92: ‘Arctared’ red fescue closely resembles all the red fescues.

Fescue, Red
‘Boreal’ red fescue, Festuca rubra, Cultivar

‘Boreal’ red fescue was developed by the Canadian Department of Agriculture Research Station in Beaverlodge, Alberta (USDA, 1972). This very hardy cultivar is similar to ‘Arctared’ in adaptation and potential use in Alaska. It is often substituted for ‘Arctared’ and is less expensive than ‘Arctared’.

‘Boreal’ looks like ‘Arctared’.

Fescue, Red
‘Pennlawn’ red fescue, Festuca rubra, Cultivar

‘Pennlawn’ red fescue was released in 1954 by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station (USDA, 1972). The cultivar has less hardiness than either ‘Arctared’ or ‘Boreal’, but still has potential in mild areas of Alaska. This cultivar was selected for turf uses and, therefore, tends to be used for landscaping more than for revegetation.

‘Pennlawn’ looks like ‘Arctared’.

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