Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); likely a blend such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series based on density and color
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7 (best in Transition Zone); high heat tolerance for cool-season category; excellent cold hardiness; semi-dormant in extreme drought.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured turfgrass that forms a dense, upright stand. Stays green year-round in many climates, with a deep green color that is slightly darker than Kentucky Bluegrass. It lacks the extensive spreading capability of stoloniferous grasses, resulting in a clumped appearance if the stand thins.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 3-6mm (coarse to medium); flat shape with a pointed tip; prominently ridged on the upper surface with a shiny underside; 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); low thatch tendency; slow recovery from wear due to lack of runners; moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate climates of North America
Growth Habit
Primarily Bunch-type (clump-forming); modern cultivars may exhibit short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun; high drought tolerance for a cool-season grass due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.0-4.0 inches; frequency weekly; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance once established; high resistance to heat and drought; moderate shade tolerance; susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) during hot, humid summers.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for slopes; used in pastures but can contain endophytes toxic to certain livestock; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved traffic recovery.