Rhizomatous Tall Fescue (2024)

More than 10 years ago, Barenbrug turf scientists developed a superior tall fescue variety with rhizome-rich plants. We call it Rhizomatous Tall Fescue, or RTF. RTF is the only tall fescue with true rhizomes. Rhizomes help the RTF quickly fill in damaged and bare spots in your lawn with new shoots of grass. This results in less over-seeding, fewer weed problems and no wide-leafed ugly clumps of grass like other tall fescues can form.

The technology behind RTF is so unique, it's protected with a US patent, and it provides substantial value over traditional tall fescue varieties.

RTF’s extensive root system has the ability to draw moisture from a deep soil profile, which helps it use less water and makes it adaptable in a wide range of soils. It has excellent heat and drought tolerance, with less irrigation.

A New Mexico State University trial proved RTF maintained high turf quality with 30% less water.New Mexico State University observed how cool-season grasses (like tall fescue) would maintain turf quality under drought conditions. Turfgrasses were evaluated after reducing water by 15% and 30%, way below what is considered ideal to maintain quality.RTF performed better than any other cool-season grass – during the hottest months of the year!RTF also performed better than Kentucky and Texas bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and other tall fescues highly ranked by the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program.

Self-repairing Turf

• Quickly fills in damaged or open spots with new shoots of grass

• High level of traffic tolerance

• Dense turf without open areas prevents weed growth

Strong, deep root system and drought tolerance

• Rapid development of a deep root system

• Excellent drought and heat tolerance with less irrigation

• Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions

Grows great in sun or shade

• Excellent in the transition zone climate and other tall fescue turf regions

• Will not brown out in the intense summer heat

• One of the most shade tolerant cool season grasses

Excellent color and density

• Has fine leaves which produce a very dense, uniform sod

• Early spring green-up

• Withstands stressful hot temperatures and keeps its rich green color

Excellent insect and disease resistance

• Endophyte enhanced for improved insect, disease and drought tolerance

• Environmentally friendly, reduces chemical and fertilizer inputs

Others Promise Potential– Only RTF Delivers Rhizomes

Since the RTFbreakthrough discovery, Barenbrug Research has released a number of other rhizomatous tall fescue varieties and new varieties are continuously being developed.Because of RTF’s effectiveness and popularity, other seed companies have tried to imitate Barenbrug’s products. While some may advertise rhizomatous varieties, university and independent testing has proven conclusively that RTF is a cut above the competition.

At the University of Illinois and in other studies, it became clear that Barenbrug RTF varieties are the only ones to exhibit significant rhizomes and rhizomatous activity. The graph to the rightshows the difference researchers found between RTF and others. Designed to factor in the percentage of plants that make rhizomes, the cultivar rhizomatous index is derived by multiplying the number of rhizomes by the percentage of plants with rhizomes and the rhizome length. When you put it all together, RTF is in a class of its own.