Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Unknown wild-type or K-31; characterized by coarse texture and broad blades compared to turf-type tall fescues.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and good cold hardiness throughout the transition zone.
About This Grass
A robust, upright grass with a coarse texture and deep green color. When unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet. It grows in dense clumps with visible vertical ribbing on the leaf blades.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm wide), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Color is typically medium to dark green with dull undersides. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Prominent veins/ridges on the upper surface and a short, membranous ligule. Auricles are absent or very small (rudimentary).
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet deep. Low thatch tendency due to bunch growth. Slow to recover from wear but highly drought-resistant once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and temperate climates globally.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons, leading to a patchy appearance if damaged.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. High drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, though it requires supplemental water in extreme heat to stay green. Prefers well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintain at 3.0-4.0 inches. Mowing frequency is weekly during peak spring/fall growth. Low to medium maintenance; requires 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft per year. Periodic overseeding is necessary to fill in bare spots.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once established; high resistance to heat and drought. Susceptible to Brown Patch disease in humid summer conditions. Excellent for stabilizing soil on slopes and high-traffic home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in some native prairie contexts; provides forage for livestock but can be endophyte-infected, which affects wildlife. Excellent for erosion control and water filtration in urban landscapes.