Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a modern fine-bladed cultivar such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series based on high density and dark color.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, making it the primary choice for the U.S. Transition Zone.
About This Grass
A robust, deep-rooted cool-season grass with a dense, tufted appearance. It exhibits a deep dark green color and holds its color well into the autumn. Seed heads are open panicles, though rarely seen in managed lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (3-10mm depending on cultivar). Tips are distinctly pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. The upper surface has prominent parallel veins (ridges) and no midrib, while the underside is smooth and shiny. Ligule is a short membrane; auricles are small or absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 3-6 feet deep in ideal soils. This provides superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. It does not form a thick thatch layer and produces a moderately dense sod through bunching.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; now widely naturalized across North America, particularly in the Transition Zone and temperate regions.
Growth Habit
Predominantly Bunch-type (clump-forming). Some newer cultivars exhibit short rhizomes but lack the spreading capacity of Kentucky Bluegrass.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; highly versatile. Requires 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate water needs with high drought tolerance once established due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height is 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Higher mowing promotes deeper roots. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding because it does not spread to fill bare spots.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance, excellent heat and drought resistance, and moderate shade tolerance. It is resistant to many common lawn diseases like dollar spot but can be susceptible to brown patch in humid summers.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Widely used for soil stabilization on slopes due to deep roots. Provides cover for small mammals; some varieties contain endophytes (fungus) that deter insect herbivory but can be toxic to livestock if used in pastures.