Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic or mixed cultivar (e.g., 'Falcon', 'Rebel', or 'Titan' families)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; best in the Transition Zone; stays green through mild winters; high heat tolerance compared to Bluegrass.
About This Grass
Dense, clump-forming grass with a coarse to medium texture. It maintains a dark green color throughout much of the year, including cool periods, but may shown brown tips (leaf shredding) from dull mower blades.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width: 3-5mm (medium-coarse); Shape: flat; Tip: pointed (tapering); Color: dark green with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface; Vernation: rolled; Ligule: short, membranous; Auricles: small, blunt, or absent; Margin: rough/serrated to the touch.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch tendency; slow recovery from heavy wear compared to spreading grasses; high establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited short rhizomes sometimes present in newer cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade; requires 4-6 hours of sunlight; 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: 3.0-4.0 inches; frequency: weekly during growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; maintenance level: Medium; periodic overseeding necessary to fill bare spots.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; high disease resistance to brown patch (though susceptible in high humidity); moderate shade tolerance; no widespread stolon/rhizome spread makes it non-invasive in garden beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced status; used for soil stabilization on banks; provides some cover for small wildlife; often blended with 10% Kentucky Bluegrass to improve sod density.