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 modern blend such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7 (best in Transition Zone); high heat tolerance for a C3 grass; good cold hardiness but may go semi-dormant in extreme brown-out conditions.
About This Grass
A robust, deep-rooted cool-season grass with a medium-to-coarse texture. It maintains a dark green color under moderate stress and grows in upright clumps. In its unmowed state, it produces tall culms with panicle-type seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Width: 4-10mm (medium to coarse); Shape: Flat; Tip: Pointed; Color: Dark green with prominent longitudinal veins; Vernation: Rolled in the bud; Ligule: Short, membranous; Auricles: Small, blunt/rudimentary with hairs on the leaf margins near the collar.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), facilitating high drought tolerance; low thatch tendency; slow-to-moderate establishment compared to ryegrass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted throughout the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; forms a dense canopy through tillering
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade (highly shade tolerant for a cool-season grass); 4-6 hours minimum sun; moderate water needs but possesses high drought avoidance due to deep roots; prefers pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height: 2.0-4.0 inches (3.0-3.5 typically best); Frequency: Weekly during peak growth; Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; Low-to-Medium maintenance; occasional overseeding required to fill thinning clumps.
Special Characteristics
Superior wear tolerance and durability; high resistance to heat and drought; susceptible to Brown Patch fungus in humid summers; excellent at crowding out weeds when maintained at higher heights.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; used for soil stabilization and erosion control on banks; provides cover for small nesting birds when left tall; commonly mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for self-repairing sod capability.