Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Landscape, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for cool-season category; moderate cold tolerance; semi-dormant in extreme winter/summer.
About This Grass
A robust, hardy grass forming dense clumps. It maintains a deep green color throughout most of the year and features a relatively coarse texture compared to bluegrass. Seed heads are open panicles common in unmowed states.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (3-10mm); flat shape with prominent longitudinal veins on top; pointed tips; dark green color; rolled vernation; lacks auricles; short membranous ligule.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch tendency; slow recovery from wear due to bunching habit; excellent drought tolerance via soil depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Africa, and Temperate Asia; now widespread in North American transition zones
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); some newer cultivars possess limited rhizomatous activity
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs; high drought tolerance for a cool-season grass; prefers pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 3.0-4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; requires occasional overseeding to fill bare spots; medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; excellent shade tolerance compared to other lawn grasses; high resistance to heat and drought; susceptible to Brown Patch disease in humid summers.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; provides soil stabilization for slopes; frequently mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass; can be invasive in native meadow restoration areas.