Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; has high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and excellent cold hardiness; minimal winter dormancy except in extreme cold.
About This Grass
A dense, upright, coarse-to-medium textured grass known for its deep green color and durability. It remains green for most of the year in temperate climates and maintains a uniform appearance when mowed regularly.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (4-10mm); flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip; dark green color; vernation is rolled in the bud; leaf surface has prominent longitudinal veins; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent or very small and blunt.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed; deep roots provide excellent drought tolerance and stability.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate regions of North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); some newer cultivars exhibit limited short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of sun); moderate to high water needs during establishment but very drought tolerant once mature; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.0-4.0 inches; frequency depends on growth but generally weekly; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; maintenance level is low to medium.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance; good resistance to many common turf diseases except Brown Patch in high humidity; high drought tolerance due to deep roots; moderate salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; serves as forage for livestock (though endophyte-free varieties are preferred for some animals); often used in home lawn seed mixes with Bluegrass.