Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); common varieties include 'Rebel,' 'Falcon,' or 'Falcon IV'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; Excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; high transition zone suitability; dormant during extreme heat/drought or extreme cold.
About This Grass
A deep-rooted, persistent grass with a medium-coarse texture. It maintains a dark green color throughout the growing season and stays green longer into winter than warm-season grasses. Forms a dense sod when seeded heavily.
Blade Characteristics
Width: 3-10mm (medium to coarse); Shape: Flat with prominent longitudinal veins/ridges on the upper surface; Tip: Pointed; Color: Dark green; Vernation: Rolled in the bud; Ligule: Short, membranous; Auricles: Small, blunt, or absent; Margins: Somewhat rough/serrated.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (can reach 2-3 feet); low thatch tendency; slower establishment from seed than ryegrass but faster than bluegrass; survives drought by accessing deep ground water.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and Mediterranean climates
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with limited short rhizomes in newer turf-type cultivars; dense tillering
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (excellent shade tolerance for a cool-season grass); 4-6 hours minimum sun; moderate water needs but possesses high drought avoidance due to deep roots; prefers pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 2.0-4.0 inches (prefers 3.0+); Frequency: Weekly during spring/fall; Fertilizer: 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; Low to Medium maintenance level; requires periodic overseeding because it does not spread via stolons.
Special Characteristics
Superior wear tolerance; good disease resistance (though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity); moderate salt tolerance; best shade tolerance among common lawn grasses; excellent for high-traffic home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock (though tall fescue toxicosis is a concern in older 'Kentucky 31' pasture types); excellent for soil stabilization on slopes; often mixed with Bluegrass for 'self-repairing' blends.