Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial, C3 pathway, Transition zone adaptable
Grass Family
Poaceae, Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic selection based on density and color
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance; stays green late into winter.
About This Grass
A dense, upright bunchgrass with a deep green color. It forms a uniform turf when seeded heavily but can appear clumpy if thin. Mature height unmowed can reach 2-4 feet with panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse to medium-wide (3-6mm) with prominent longitudinal veins; tips are pointed; vernation is rolled in the bud; auricles are absent or small/blunt; ligule is short and membranous.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch tendency; slow recovery from wear due to lack of spreading stolons; moderate establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, especially the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited short rhizomes may be present in newer cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (prefers 4-6 hours sun); moderate to high water needs for green appearance; excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots; pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height 2.0-4.0 inches (prefers 3.0+ in summer); infrequent mowing; 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; low dethatching need; frequent overseeding required to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
Superior wear tolerance (crushing); high salt and heat tolerance; the most shade-tolerant of the common cool-season lawn grasses; deep roots allow survival in dry spells.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides soil stabilization for slopes; creates dense cover for small mammals; often contains beneficial endophytes that repel insects; frequently mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass.