Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial, C3 pathway
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 lower-growing cultivar like 'Titan' or 'Rebel' series
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly tolerant of heat for a cool-season grass; excellent cold hardiness; goes dormant in extreme drought or summer heat without irrigation.
About This Grass
A robust, upright grass with a coarse to medium-coarse texture. Displays a rich, dark green color that stays green into late autumn. Mowed height typically 3-4 inches; seed heads are panicles, though rarely seen in mowed turf.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 3-6mm; flat shape with prominent longitudinal veins (ribbing) on the upper surface; pointed tips; rolled vernation in the bud; short membranous ligule; auricles are typically absent or small and hairless.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); superior drought tolerance for a cool-season grass; low thatch accumulation; slower to recover from damage than stoloniferous grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate regions globally
Growth Habit
Primarily Bunch-type (clump-forming) with limited short rhizomes; forms a very dense sod through high seeding rates
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of sunlight; moderate water needs but possesses high drought avoidance due to deep roots; prefers pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 3.0-4.5 inches; Frequency: weekly; Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year (primarily in Fall); Low to Medium maintenance; periodic overseeding required to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; high shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; resistant to most lawn diseases except Brown Patch in high humidity; good salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides ground cover for soil stabilization; low wildlife food value but provides cover; can be invasive in native meadow ecosystems; often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for self-repairing properties.