Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic cultivar
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and good cold hardiness. Goes dormant in extreme cold or prolonged drought.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured bunchgrass that forms dense clumps. It maintains a deep green color and remains active longer into the heat of summer than other cool-season grasses. It typically grows 2-4 feet tall if left unmowed, featuring open panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 4-10mm (coarse), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Color is dark green with prominent longitudinal veins/ridges on the upper surface. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a short membranous rim; auricles are absent or very small and non-clasping.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet deep, allowing for superior drought tolerance. It has a low thatch tendency and a moderate establishment speed from seed, forming a dense sod over time.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with limited short rhizomes in some modern varieties
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of sun). High drought tolerance once established. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 3 to 4 inches. Frequency is moderate; fertilization requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance, good shade tolerance compared to other lawn grasses, and high resistance to most turf diseases. It has limited recovery ability from bare spots due to bunch-type growth.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America. Used extensively for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Provides cover for small mammals; often used in mixtures with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved durability.