Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a modern cultivar such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series based on dark green color and medium texture
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; performs exceptionally well in the 'Transition Zone' where other grasses fail in summer.
About This Grass
A deep-rooted, hardy grass with a coarse to medium texture. It maintains a dark green color throughout the growing season and stays green longer into the winter than many other cool-season grasses. Unmowed, it can reach 2-4 feet with open panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (4-10mm); flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip; dark green color; leaves are rolled in the bud (vernation); prominent longitudinal veins on the upper surface with a rough/serrated margin; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short hairs may be present).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet or more in depth; slow to form thatch; moderately fast establishment from seed; excellent deep-soil exploration for water.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted throughout the United States Transition Zone and temperate regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited short rhizomes may be present in certain turf-type cultivars; forms a dense canopy through tillering
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has the best shade tolerance among cool-season turf grasses (requires 4-6 hours); moderate water needs but possesses high drought resistance due to deep roots; grows best in soil pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 2.0-4.0 inches (higher in summer to protect crowns); mowing frequency: weekly during peak growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High wear/traffic tolerance; resistant to many common pests; good salt tolerance; superior drought avoidance compared to Bluegrass; ability to stay green during short summer heat waves.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides soil stabilization for slopes; some varieties contain endophytes (beneficial fungi) that deter leaf-feeding insects; can be invasive in native prairie restoration sites; often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved recovery.