Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, 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 performance in the Transition Zone due to heat tolerance superior to most cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
Dense, upright growth habit with a deep green color. Texture is medium to coarse compared to fine fescues. It remains green for most of the year in temperate climates but can go dormant in extreme heat or cold.
Blade Characteristics
Bades are 3-10mm wide, flat, and noticeably ribbed on the upper surface. Tips are pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Margin is rough/serrated. Auricles are small/absent and blunt. Ligule is short and membranous.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), which provides excellent drought resistance. Low thatch producer. Relatively fast establishment from seed but does not spread into bare spots well.
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); very limited rhizomatous activity in some modern turf cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (moderate shade tolerance). Requires 4-6 hours minimum. High water needs during establishment but very drought tolerant once mature due to deep roots. Prefers pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Higher mowing promotes deeper roots. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding to fill in thinned clumps.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic durability. Good resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot. Not salt tolerant. Best cool-season grass for heat/drought resistance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization on slopes. Often contains endophytic fungi that provide natural resistance to leaf-feeding insects. Often mixed with 10% Kentucky Bluegrass for sod knitting.