Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, and Forage grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a modern disease-resistant cultivar such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly successful in the Transition Zone; stays green through mild winters; goes dormant/brown in extreme heat or cold.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, dark green upright grass known for its durability. It maintains a deep green color in cool weather and forms a dense, high-canopy turf when mowed regularly.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades 4-10mm wide; prominent veins on the upper surface; pointed tips; rolled vernation in the bud; short membranous ligule; no auricles or very small non-clasping ones.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system often reaching 2-3 feet in depth; slow to form thatch; excellent drought avoidance due to depth; poor recovery from traffic compared to spreading grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America and the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited rhizome activity in some modern varieties
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but possesses high drought tolerance once established due to root depth.
Mowing & Maintenance
2.5 to 4.0 inches (mow high for health); low to medium maintenance; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; needs periodic overseeding to fill in thinned bunches.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; moderate shade tolerance; susceptible to brown patch disease in humid summers.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; serves as forage for livestock; often mixed with Bluegrass for improved wear resistance.