Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 carbon fixation
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); specific cultivar likely an improved variety such as 'Falcon IV' or 'Rebel' based on density and dark green color.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; highly adaptable to the Transition Zone. It stays green during cool winters but may grow slowly in extreme summer heat.
About This Grass
A robust, coarse to medium-textured grass forming dense clumps. It is characterized by its deep green color and upright growth. In unmowed states, it can reach 3-4 feet with panicle seed heads, though in lawns it maintains a thick, uniform appearance.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium-coarse (3-4mm); flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip; dark green with prominent longitudinal veins/ridges on the upper surface. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (rudimentary).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet deep, which provides excellent drought resistance. Low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in the United States, especially in the Transition Zone and Northern regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes in newer turf-type cultivars. It expands slowly by tillering.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has the best shade tolerance of the cool-season lawn grasses. Requires moderate watering but survives drought through dormancy. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
High mowing height of 3.0 to 4.0 inches is ideal for health. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; does not require frequent dethatching but may need periodic overseeding due to its bunch-type growth.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic resistance. Good resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot. Noted for its high heat tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses and its ability to maintain color in late fall.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Widely used for soil stabilization on slopes and highway embankments. Provides forage for livestock, though some varieties contain endophytes that can be toxic if managed incorrectly in a pasture setting.