Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (Syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - Unknown cultivar (likely a blend including varieties like 'Rebel' or 'Falcon')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for the transition zone; stays green into late fall but may go dormant/brown in extreme summer heat or winter cold.
About This Grass
A medium-to-coarse textured grass featuring a deep green color. It grows in upright clumps and is known for its durability and resilience. When left unmowed, it can reach 3 feet, but in lawns, it provides a dense, uniform cover. As shown in the image, it can suffer from patchy drying or disease (likely brown patch or drought stress) which requires raking and dethatching.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width: medium to coarse (3-5mm). Shape: flat with prominent longitudinal veins on top. Tip: pointed. Color: dark green. Vernation: rolled in the bud. Ligule: short, membranous. Auricles: absent or very small/blunt. Collar: broad and continuous.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep); low thatch tendency compared to bluegrass; moderate establishment speed; excellent drought tolerance for a cool-season grass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and adapted to the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; forms a dense sod when seeded heavily.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of sun); moderate water needs but possesses high drought resistance once established; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 3.0-4.0 inches. Frequency: weekly during active growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Requires periodic overseeding as it does not spread via stolons. Maintenance level: Medium.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; moderate shade tolerance; good resistance to most lawn diseases except Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia). Excellent for high-traffic home lawns and parks.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization; used in conservation for erosion control; can be invasive in native prairie settings if not managed; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved traffic recovery.