Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF) (Commonly found in residential mixes like Rebel or Falcon varieties)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, making it the primary choice for the Transition Zone. It enters semi-dormancy in extreme cold or heat.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that forms dense individual clumps. Dark green in color, it remains green longer into the summer than many other cool-season grasses. It produces a tall, branched panicle seed head if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm width) with prominent longitudinal veins (ribbed) on the upper surface. Blade tips are sharply pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent. The leaf margins are often rough to the touch.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system capable of reaching 2-3 feet in depth once established. Low thatch tendency and relatively fast establishment from seed. Provides excellent wear recovery for a bunch-type grass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited short rhizomes may be present in newer cultivars but it does not spread significantly.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (requires 4-6 hours minimum). High drought tolerance due to deep roots, though it requires regular watering during extreme heat to stay green. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height of 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Require frequent mowing during spring and fall. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Does not require frequent dethatching but often needs annual overseeding to fill in thinned patches.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance, high resistance to Brown Patch and other common diseases if mowed high, and moderate salt tolerance. It is known for its ability to withstand heavy foot traffic and its relatively low maintenance compared to Kentucky Bluegrass.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization on steep slopes and erosion control. Low wildlife value compared to native prairies, but serves as cover for small insects and some ground birds. Often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass.