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 variety
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for its species and good cold tolerance; lacks a strong winter dormancy compared to warm-season grasses.
About This Grass
A robust, deep-rooted cool-season grass with a medium-to-coarse texture. Displays a dark green color and maintains a dense canopy when mowed; features panicle seed heads if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-coarse (approx. 3-5mm), flat, with a distinctly pointed tip and prominent longitudinal ribs on the upper surface. Vernation is rolled; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending 2-3 feet or more in ideal soils. Slowly forms thatch; has moderate establishment speed and high wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) grass that may occasionally produce short, weak rhizomes; forms thick tufts.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Adapts from full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours direct sun). High drought tolerance for a cool-season grass due to deep roots; prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height: 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance with regular aeration and occasional overseeding to fill in bare spots.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic tolerance and shade tolerance; resistant to many common turf diseases like dollar spot, though susceptible to brown patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America; provides soil stabilization via deep roots and winter cover for small organisms; can be invasive in native prairie ecosystems.