Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial, C3 pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a modern cultivar such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series based on blade width
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-9; excels in the Transition Zone where it survives cold winters and hot summers better than other cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. It grows in dense clumps and maintains color well into the fall. Unmowed, it can reach 2-4 feet with panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 4-10mm (coarse), prominent longitudinal ribs on upper surface, smooth undersides with a dull shine. Tip is pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (rudimentary). Purplish-red tinting often visible at the base of the stem.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet deep, allowing for superior drought tolerance. Low thatch tendency due to bunch growth habit. Moderate establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, particularly in the US Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited rhizomatous activity in some modern cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun. High drought tolerance once established but needs deep, infrequent watering during peak summer heat. Prefers well-drained soil, pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches. Avoid mowing below 2 inches. Fertilize 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft annually, mostly in fall. Requires periodic overseeding to fill in bare spots since it does not spread via stolons.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; excellent heat and drought resistance for a cool-season grass. Good resistance to leaf spot and brown patch in newer cultivars. Poor salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Used for soil stabilization on slopes. Often contains beneficial endophytes (fungi) that provide natural resistance to leaf-feeding insects.