Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 physiological pathway; highly popular in Transition Zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, and Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) cultivar (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Falcon', or 'Titan' series)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; exceptional heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green through mild winters.
About This Grass
A dense, dark green bunchgrass with a coarse to medium-fine texture. It maintains color well in heat and has a rugged appearance.
Blade Characteristics
Bades are 3-10mm wide, flat, with prominent longitudinal veins on top; pointed tips; rolled vernation; short membranous ligule; auricles absent or small/blunt.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet); low thatch tendency; slow recovery due to bunching habit; excellent soil stabilization.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to North America and Australia
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping), though some modern cultivars are slightly rhizomatous (RTF)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (best shade tolerance of cool-season grasses); high water needs but utilizes deep soil moisture; high drought tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3-4 inches; mow weekly; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen/1000 sq ft/year; annual aeration and overseeding often required; Medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; resistant to many turf diseases but susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity; high salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides cover for small mammals; non-invasive in urban settings; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for self-repair.