Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (now 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), likely a modern cultivar such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series based on blade density
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; has superior heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and excellent cold hardiness; remains green in winter in transition zones.
About This Grass
A hardy, clump-forming grass with a deep green color. Forms a dense turf when seeded heavily but tends to grow in isolated 'clumps' or bunches if the lawn is thin. Exhibits coarse to medium texture depending on maturity and cultivar.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (3-10mm); tip is distinctly pointed (not boat-shaped); color is medium to dark green; vernation is rolled in the bud; leaf surface has prominent veins/ridges on the top and is glossy on the underside; auricles are small and hairy (ciliate); ligule is short and membranous.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (can reach 2-3 feet deep); very low thatch tendency; slow recovery from wear due to bunching habit; excellent drought resistance for a cool-season grass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate climates of North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping). Minimal rhizomatous activity in some modern cultivars, but primarily spreads by tillering; lacks stolons.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has moderate shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but survives drought via dormancy.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; mowing frequency is moderate; requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; low dethatching needs; high maintenance for a professional look but low for a utility lawn.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once established; excellent resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot in newer cultivars; very salt tolerant; best cool-season grass for the Southern Transition Zone.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides ground cover for small mammals and seed for birds in pasture settings; highly effective for soil stabilization on slopes; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for self-repairing capabilities.