Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (initially Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); specifically resembles modern varieties like 'Rebel' or 'Titan' based on its medium-coarse texture and dark green color.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; exceptional heat tolerance for a cool-season grass. Remains green throughout winter in transition zones but can go dormant in extreme cold.
About This Grass
A dense, bunch-type grass with a deep green color. When unmowed, it reaches 2-4 feet; when maintained, it forms a thick canopy. It possesses a medium-coarse texture and produces a contracted panicle seed head at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (4-10mm), flat shape with a pointed tip. Distinctive longitudinal ribs on the upper surface and a dull underside. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but usually have fine hairs at the collar.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep), facilitating excellent drought tolerance. Low thatch tendency due to bunch growth. Moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and adapted to the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; lacks extensive spreading ability, resulting in the visible clumping seen in the image.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Adapts to Full Sun to Partial Shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate water needs with high drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; mowing frequency 1x weekly. Fertilizer: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding to fill in bare spots.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic resistance. High resistance to summer heat and drought. Susceptible to Brown Patch disease in humid conditions. Good salt tolerance and moderate shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America; provides soil stabilization and carbon sequestration. Common in pastures for livestock (though endophyte-free varieties are preferred for grazing). Often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved durability.