Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial, C3 photosynthesis, Transition zone adaptable
Grass Family
Poaceae, Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety unknown but likely a modern blend like 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a C3 grass; high cold hardiness; remains green late into fall/winter in transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. It forms dense clumps and is known for its persistence in stressful environments. Does not produce stolons; relies on tillering for density.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 4-8mm (coarse-medium); flat shape with distinct longitudinal ribs on top surface; pointed tips; dark green to emerald color; rolled vernation in the bud; leaf margins often feel rough to the touch; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are typically absent or very small and non-clasping.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed; deep roots provide excellent drought avoidance and stability.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America across transition and northern zones
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited rhizomatous activity in some newer cultivars; dense vertical growth
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most cool-season grasses); needs 4-6 hours sun; moderate water needs; highest drought tolerance among cool-season turf grasses.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.0-4.0 inches; weekly mowing; 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft per year; requires regular overseeding since it does not spread via runners; medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; excellent disease resistance (Brown Patch is a primary concern); high salt tolerance; superior drought and heat tolerance compared to Bluegrass or Ryegrass.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control due to deep roots; often seeded with Kentucky Bluegrass for 'self-repairing' mixtures; low invasive potential in manicured landscapes.