Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass (Tolerates transition zone well)
Grass Family
Poaceae, Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a blend of modern cultivars such as 'Titan', 'Rebel', or 'Falcon'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; exceptional performance in the Transition Zone. It enters semi-dormancy in extreme heat or cold but resists winter kill better than most warm-season grasses.
About This Grass
A dense, upright-growing grass with a coarse to medium texture. It maintains a deep green color year-round in many climates. When unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet; maintained as turf, it forms a thick, uniform canopy. Seed heads are open panicles produced in late spring if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width: 3-5mm (Medium-Coarse). Shape: Flat with prominent longitudinal veins on top. Tip: Pointed/acuminate. Color: Dark green. Vernation: Rolled in the bud. Ligule: Short, membranous, or fringed with hairs. Auricles: Small or absent, occasionally blunt. Collar: Broad and prominent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (reaching 2-3 feet deep), which provides excellent drought tolerance. It has a low thatch tendency but slow lateral spread compared to Kentucky Bluegrass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; now widely naturalized across North America, particularly in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Primarily Bunch-type (clump-forming). Some modern cultivars have limited rhizomatous activity for improved recovery.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Sunlight: Prefers full sun but has moderate shade tolerance (4-6 hours minimum). Water: Moderate needs; highly drought-tolerant once established due to deep roots. pH: 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Frequency: Weekly during peak growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. Low to Medium maintenance level; requires occasional overseeding due to bunching habit.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance and traffic resistance. Good resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot. Higher salt tolerance than Kentucky Bluegrass. Excellent for home lawns and park areas with varied sun/shade exposure.
Ecological Information
Introduced species. Provides ground cover and soil stabilization. Used in pastures but some older varieties contain endophytes that can be toxic to livestock; modern turf varieties are beneficial for their durability. Often blended with 5-10% Kentucky Bluegrass for better sod knitting.