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); common varieties include 'Falcon IV' or 'Rebel IV'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold hardiness; best performer in the Transition Zone.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass forming a dense, durable sod. It maintains a deep green color throughout the growing season and remains green longer into winter than most warm-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 3-10mm (medium to coarse); flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip; dark green color; rolled vernation; prominent longitudinal veins (ribbed) on upper surface; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (rudimentary).
Root System
Exceptionally deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); moderate establishment speed; low thatch tendency; high drought tolerance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, particularly in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with rare short rhizomes; dense, upright growth for TTTF varieties
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours minimum sun; moderate watering needs, but highly drought-resistant once established; adapts to various soil pH (5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5-4.0 inches; weekly mowing; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding due to lunch-type growth.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; good shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; resistant to most common lawn diseases like dollar spot, though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; provides soil stabilization for slopes; frequently mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass (90/10 ratio) for improved durability and repair capacity.