Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); likely a modern blend of cultivars such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series based on mid-range blade width and deep green color.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; best in the Transition Zone. High heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance; stays green throughout the winter in milder climates.
About This Grass
A coarse-to-medium textured grass known for its durability. It has a deep green color and grows in upright clumps. Unlike many cool-season grasses, it remains green during mild summers due to its deep root system. Unmowed, it can reach 2-4 feet; maintained turf stays at 2-4 inches.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (4-10mm); flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Color is typically dark green with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface and a duller underside with a shiny keeled midrib. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short (0.5mm) and membranous; auricles are small, blunt, and occasionally have fine hairs.
Root System
Exceptionally deep fibrous root system (reaching 2-3 feet deep); low thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment from seed. Its depth provides superior drought resistance and stability compared to other cool-season grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate regions of North America.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons, though some modern cultivars are 'rhizomatous-enhanced' with very limited spreading capability.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in Full Sun but is relatively shade tolerant; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. Requires moderate watering but has high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height is 3 to 4 inches to encourage deep roots. Mowing frequency is weekly during peak growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year. Low to medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High wear and traffic tolerance; excellent disease resistance to many turf pathogens (except Brown Patch in high humidity); moderate salt tolerance; excellent ability to withstand heat and drought; poor recovery from damage once clumps are thinned.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization on slopes; seeds are a food source for birds and small mammals; often contains endophytes (beneficial fungi) that deter insect pests; frequently mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for a more resilient lawn blend.