Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Home Lawns, Sports Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety indistinguishable
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green through winter in moderate climates.
About This Grass
Dense, medium-to-coarse textured turf with a deep green color. Forms thick mats with vertical growth; seed heads are large, open panicles when left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 4-10mm (coarse); prominently veined/ribbed on upper surface; edges feel rough/serrated; tip shape is pointed; vernation is rolled in the bud; ligule is short, membranous; auricles are absent or very small and blunt.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending 2-3 feet; low thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed from seed; excellent wear recovery for a bunch-type grass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the USA
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited rhizome development in some newer cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of light; moderate to high water needs; highest drought tolerance of cool-season grasses due to deep roots; adapts to various soil pH (5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5-4.0 inches; weekly frequency; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen/1000 sq ft/year; low dethatching needs; medium maintenance; regular overseeding required to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; moderate shade tolerance; excellent resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot in improved cultivars; deep roots allow for survival in heat-stressed environments.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; serves as forage for livestock (though the endophyte-infected types can be toxic to cattle); often used in mixtures with Kentucky Bluegrass for genetic diversity.