Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, and Forage Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF) cultivar (e.g., 'Rebel' or 'Titan' series)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; exceptional heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance; lacks winter dormancy in transition zones.
About This Grass
A robust, upright grass with a medium-to-coarse texture and deep green color. It maintains its color well into the fall and stays green longer during summer droughts compared to other cool-season grasses. Forms a dense turf if overseeded regularly.
Blade Characteristics
Broad blades (>4mm), prominent longitudinal veins/ridges on the upper surface, dull underside, and a sharply pointed tip. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but may have minute hairs.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (can reach 2-3 feet depth), low thatch-forming tendency, slow to moderate establishment speed from seed, excellent wear recovery via density.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone in North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); some newer cultivars possess limited rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours direct sun); moderate water needs with high drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 2.5-4.0 inches; frequency: weekly during active growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; requires annual aeration and overseeding to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance; good shade tolerance compared to other lawn grasses; high resistance to heat and drought; susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; serves as forage for livestock (though endophyte-free varieties are preferred for grazing animals); high water filtration quality.