Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a modern elite blend like 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7 (best in Transition Zone); high heat tolerance for cool-season grass; good cold hardiness; stays green longer into winter than warm-season grasses.
About This Grass
A dense, dark green turf grass that forms a uniform sod when seeded heavily. It maintains green color throughout the year in many climates and has a coarser texture than bluegrass but finer than pasture fescues.
Blade Characteristics
Width: Medium (3-4mm); Shape: Flat with distinct longitudinal ribs on the upper surface; Tip: Pointed (not boat-shaped); Color: Deep emerald green; Vernation: Rolled in the bud; Ligule: Short, membranous; Auricles: Small or absent, usually blunt and non-clasping.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often extending 2-3 feet); low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed; excellent drought avoidance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate regions of North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); new cultivars may possess limited rhizomatous activity (RTF)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (highly versatile); requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate watering needs once established; high drought tolerance for a cool-season grass; prefers pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 2.0 to 4.0 inches (prefers higher cuts); Frequency: Weekly during growing season; Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; Low to Medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High wear/traffic tolerance; resistant to many turf diseases but susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in high humidity; good salt tolerance; superior shade tolerance compared to Kentucky Bluegrass.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides excellent soil stabilization; high value for carbon sequestration due to deep roots; can be invasive in native prairies; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for 'Blue-Fescue' mixes.