Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - likely a blend like 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series based on high density and medium-fine texture
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; has high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and good cold hardiness; remains green in winter unless temperatures drop significantly.
About This Grass
A robust, upright grass with a medium-coarse to medium texture. It maintains a deep green color year-round in temperate climates. It provides a dense canopy but does not form a thick mat like Kentucky Bluegrass.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 3-6mm; flat shape with pointed tips; medium to dark green color; vernation is rolled in the bud; prominent veins on the upper surface but no distinct midrib; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but often have short hairs on the margins.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep); low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed from seed; high drought tolerance due to depth of roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely cultivated in the United States, especially in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Essentially bunch-type; some modern cultivars have short rhizomes but it lacks aggressive spreading ability, forming a dense turf through tillering
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but possesses excellent drought avoidance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; frequency every 5-7 days during peak growth; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year; low dethatching needs but annual aeration and overseeding are recommended to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; excellent resistance to heat and drought; moderate shade tolerance; susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) during hot, humid nights; suitable for home lawns and low-maintenance parks.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization via deep roots; seed heads provide food for birds if left unmowed; non-invasive in most managed landscapes but can naturalize in pastures.