Tall Fescue (Turf-Type)
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), specific cultivar unknown but exhibiting refined blade width representative of modern turf-types.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7. Excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green until hard frost and enters semi-dormancy in extreme cold.
About This Grass
A robust, deep-rooted cool-season grass with a bunching growth habit. It features a medium to coarse texture with a rich, dark green color. It maintains density well under moderate traffic and stays green later into the summer than many other cool-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium-coarse (3-5mm). Shape is flat with prominent longitudinal veins (ribbs) on the upper surface. The tip is distinctly pointed (tapered). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous. Auricles are absent or very small/blunt. Collar is broad and divided.
Root System
Deeply fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet in depth. Low thatch tendency due to bunching habit. Rapid establishment from seed but slow to recover from bare spots due to lack of aggressive spreading runners.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate regions of North America.
Growth Habit
Predominantly bunch-type (caespitose). Newer cultivars may possess short rhizomes. Tends to form dense clumps rather than a spreading sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most cool-season grasses). High drought tolerance once established due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height should be maintained at 2.0 to 4.0 inches. Requires medium maintenance; 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Responds well to core aeration and periodic overseeding to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once established. Good resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot in improved varieties. Excellent salt tolerance compared to bluegrass. Best choice for the Transition Zone due to heat and drought resilience.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides excellent soil stabilization and erosion control. Used in low-maintenance pastures, though endophyte-infected varieties can affect livestock. Often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved self-repair.