Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; exceptional heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold hardiness; remains semi-evergreen in many transition zone winters.
About This Grass
A dense, upright-growing grass with a coarse to medium texture. It maintains a deep green color year-round in temperate climates and is known for its ability to stay green during heat stress compared to other cool-season grasses. Maintains a thick canopy when mown regularly. Seed heads are large, open panicles if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse blades (3-10mm); flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip; prominent longitudinal ribs on the upper surface and a dull underside; vernation is rolled in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent; leaf margins are often rough or serrated to the touch.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep); low thatch tendency; slow recovery from wear due to bunch-type habit; excellent drought avoidance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); can occasionally produce short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but possesses high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height of 2.0 to 4.0 inches; frequency should be weekly during peak growth; fertilization of 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; low to medium maintenance; core aeration recommended annually to relieve compaction.
Special Characteristics
High traffic tolerance once established; good resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot; moderate salt tolerance; excellent shade tolerance compared to Bluegrass or Bermuda; deep roots allow for survival in sandy or drought-prone soils.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for slopes; moderate wildlife value for cover; can be invasive in native meadows; often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass (5-10% by weight) to provide better recovery and density.