Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic multi-blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; moderate cold tolerance; stays green in winter in transition zones
About This Grass
A robust, upright grass with a coarse to medium texture. It maintains a deep green color throughout most of the year and forms a dense, durable sod when seeded heavily.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width: 4-8mm (coarse); flat shape; pointed tip; dark green color; rolled vernation; prominent veins on the upper surface; absent auricles; short membranous ligule
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), giving it superior heat and drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; slow to moderate establishment from seed
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; naturalized across North America, specifically in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with limited short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours direct sun); moderate water needs but possesses high drought avoidance due to deep roots; prefers pH 5.5-7.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height: 3-4 inches; frequency: weekly during peak growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; low to medium maintenance
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance; good shade tolerance; highly resistant to summer patch and dollar spot; excellent for erosion control on slopes
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides soil stability; often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for better recovery; can be invasive in native wildflower meadows