Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), exact cultivar uncertain from image but likely a modern dark-green variety
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for cool-season grass; good cold hardiness; stays green into late fall.
About This Grass
A robust, deep-rooted grass forming dense, coarse clumps. Medium to dark green color. Unmowed height can reach 2-4 feet. Seed heads are open panicles with 3-5 branches per node.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 4-10mm (coarse); flat shape with a pointed tip; dark green; rolled vernation; prominent longitudinal ribs on the upper surface; small, short-haired auricles; 0.5mm membranous ligule.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (reaching up to 2-3 feet); low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed; excellent drought tolerance for a cool-season grass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; slow rate of lateral spread
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (moderate shade tolerance); requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.0-4.0 inches; frequency weekly; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance requirement.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; good resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot; moderate salt tolerance; excellent at crowding out weeds when dense.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides cover for small mammals; excellent for soil stabilization and preventing erosion; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass.