Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
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 cultivar such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; exceptional heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green in winter unless temperatures are extreme.
About This Grass
A dense, bunching grass with a deep green color and vertical growth. It maintains its color well into the fall and recovers quickly in early spring. It has a coarse to medium-coarse texture compared to fine fescues but modern cultivars are significantly narrower than forage types.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 3-6mm (medium), longitudinal ribbing on the upper surface, pointed tips (not boat-shaped), rolled vernation in the bud, auricles absent or very short/blunt, ligule is short and membranous.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet depth), low thatch tendency, slow to moderate establishment from seed but creates excellent drought tolerance once mature.
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) with occasional short rhizomes; forms high-density tillers rather than a traditional creeping mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours minimum sun. Higher drought tolerance than most cool-season grasses due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 2.0-4.0 inches (prefers 3.0+ in summer); Frequency: Weekly; Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year; Medium maintenance level; requires periodic overseeding due to bunching habit.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance, excellent heat and drought resistance, moderate shade tolerance, resistant to many common turf diseases like dollar spot but susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes; provides minimal wildlife food value but good ground cover for small fauna.