Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass; highly adaptive to the Transition Zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); likely a modern blend of cultivars like 'Falcon IV' or 'Rebel' based on the dense, medium-fine texture
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; has the best heat tolerance of all cool-season grasses; stays green through early winter until heavy frost induces semi-dormancy.
About This Grass
A hardy, bunching grass with a deep green color. Maintained at 3-4 inches; grows to 2-4 feet if unmowed. Features a medium-to-coarse texture with visible vertical ribbing on the leaf surface and a dense, upright posture.
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (3-5mm), flat shape, pointed tip (not boat-shaped). Dark green color with a dull underside and distinct longitudinal ribs on the topside. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small, blunt, and slightly hairy.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system reaching 2-3 feet or more. Low thatch tendency due to bunching habit. Rapid establishment from seed; excellent wear recovery and high drought tolerance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, particularly successful in the US Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with limited short rhizomes; grows in dense tillers; slow to spread into bare spots without overseeding
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (moderate shade tolerance). Requires 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate water needs; can survive drought by going dormant, but needs 1 inch of water weekly to stay green in summer. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height is 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft per year. Low-to-medium maintenance; requires annual overseeding to maintain density. High aeration needs in compacted clay soils.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic tolerance and high resistance to many common turf diseases like dollar spot, though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity. Very salt-tolerant and better shade tolerance than Kentucky Bluegrass.
Ecological Information
Introduced species used widely for soil stabilization on slopes and highway embankments. Provides cover for small mammals; often contains beneficial endophytes (fungi) that provide natural resistance to leaf-feeding insects.