Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, and Forage Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; adapts very well to the heat and humidity of the Transition Zone. Dormant in extreme cold or extreme heat/drought.
About This Grass
A hardy, coarse to medium-textured grass forming dense clumps. It features a deep green color and vertical growth. When mowed, it provides a rugged turf, but can grow to 3-4 feet if left unmowed in pasture settings.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (4-10mm), flat shape, pointed tip with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The ligule is short and membranous. Small, non-clasping auricles are typically present.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet in depth. Facilitates high drought tolerance and rapid establishment from seed. Does not form meaningful thatch.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia; extensively used across the U.S. Transition Zone and Northern regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); can occasionally produce short rhizomes in certain turf-type cultivars.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has the best shade tolerance among cool-season grasses. High water needs for peak greenness, but excellent drought survival due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Typical mowing height of 3 to 4 inches. Frequency is moderate to high during spring/fall. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Maintenance level is medium. Bunch-type habit requires periodic overseeding to remain dense.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance, high resistance to Heat Stress and drought, moderate shade tolerance. Common diseases include Brown Patch in high humidity. Very popular for home lawns and sports fields.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Used for erosion control on slopes. Often contains endophytic fungi that provide resistance to certain leaf-feeding insects. Can be aggressive in native meadows.