Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a modern cultivar such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; adapts exceptionally well to the Heat Zone/Transition Zone where Kentucky Bluegrass fails. Good cold tolerance but goes semi-dormant in extreme heat/cold.
About This Grass
A dense, upright-growing grass with a coarse to medium-coarse texture. Displays a dark deep green color. Forms a thick sod but does not spread laterally through stolons. Seed heads are panicles, though rarely seen in maintained lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium-coarse (approx. 3-5mm). Visible parallel veins on the upper surface with a prominent midrib on the underside. Tips are pointed and sharp. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short, membranous, and truncate. Auricles are typically absent or very small and blunt.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), giving it superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Low thatch-tending. Quick establishment from seed but slow to fill in bare spots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the transition zone in the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); occasionally produces short, weak rhizomes in newer cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has moderate shade tolerance. High water needs during establishment; once mature, it has high drought tolerance for a cool-season grass. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height of 3.0-4.0 inches. Fertilization of 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low dethatching needs. Frequent overseeding is recommended to maintain density due to bunching habit.
Special Characteristics
High wear/traffic tolerance. Good resistance to summer patch and dollar spot, though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity. Excellent salt tolerance. Does not recover quickly from damage due to lack of stolons/strong rhizomes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Low wildlife value in turf settings. Can be invasive in native prairie restoration projects if not managed.