Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 carbon fixation; excellent for transition zones
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Home Lawns, Parks, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a blend of cultivars like 'Falcon' or 'Rebel' series
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; retains green color until heavy frost.
About This Grass
Medium to dark green color with a coarse to medium-fine texture. It maintains a vertical growth habit and stays green longer into winter than most warm-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Wide blades (4-10mm), prominent parallel veins/ribs on upper surface, pointed tips, rolled vernation in the bud, short membranous ligule, and very small or absent auricles.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system reaching 2-3 feet in depth; low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed; excellent drought tolerance due to depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; forms a dense sod when overseeded
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but possesses high drought avoidance via deep roots; prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height 3.0 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft per year; low to medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic recovery; resistant to many turf diseases except Brown Patch; superior shade tolerance compared to Bermuda grass.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; high soil stabilization value; provides cover for small birds; often used in mixtures with 5-10% Kentucky Bluegrass for better recovery.