Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF) cultivar, likely a modern blend like 'Rebel' or 'Titan' based on leaf density
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green through most of the winter in transition zones; semi-dormant in extreme cold.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. It maintains a bunchy growth pattern but is bred for higher density in turf applications. Height can reach 3-4 feet if left unmowed, with panicle-type seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width: 3-5mm (medium-coarse); Shape: Flat; Tip: Pointed/Tapered; Color: Dark green with visible longitudinal ribbing/veins on the upper surface; Vernation: Rolled in the bud; Ligule: Short, membranous; Auricles: Small or absent; Sheath: Smooth and reddish at the base.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep), facilitating excellent drought tolerance; slow to recover from wear due to bunch-forming nature; low thatch tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, particularly in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; forms a dense uniform mat in lawn settings but lacks aggressive spreading ability
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (best shade tolerance among cool-season grasses); needs 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but possesses high drought avoidance due to deep roots; prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; mow weekly; fertilization 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; annual aeration and overseeding required to fill in thin spots; Medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
High traffic tolerance once established; high resistance to heat and drought; susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in humid summers; excellent for erosion control and home lawns in transition zones.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock in pasture variants; provides cover for small mammals; often used in blends with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved resilience.