Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 physiological pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - likely a mix and not a single specific cultivar
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold hardiness; limited winter dormancy.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. It grows in upright clumps and remains green through much of the winter in mild climates. Seed heads are large, open panicles reaching 3-4 feet if unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 3-6mm (medium to coarse); flat shape with a sharp, pointed tip; dark green with prominent longitudinal ribs on the upper surface; rolled vernation; short membranous ligule; auricles absent or very small/blunt.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet); high drought tolerance due to depth; slow thatch accumulation; moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes, forming a dense but non-spreading sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Adapts to Full Sun or Partial Shade (4-6 hours min); moderate water needs but possesses high drought avoidance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height 2.0-4.0 inches; frequency weekly during peak growth; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; high resistance to heat and drought; susceptible to Brown Patch disease in high humidity; good salt tolerance; moderate shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for slopes; common companion to Kentucky Bluegrass; can be invasive in native meadow ecosystems.