Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf and Pasture Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF) cultivar group
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and good cold hardiness.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass known for its deep green color and upright growth. It remains green for most of the year in temperate climates and does not produce stolons, maintaining a clumping appearance.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (5-10mm), flat shape, pointed tip, dark green color, rolled vernation in the bud, prominent veins on the upper surface, short membranous ligule, and small or absent auricles.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system reaching 2-3 feet deep, allowing for excellent drought tolerance. It is slow to form thatch and has moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, particularly in the transition zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes, forming a dense but non-spreading stand
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours minimum); high drought tolerance once established but prefers deep, infrequent watering. Adapts to wide range of soil pH (5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
High mowing height (3.0-4.0 inches) recommended; moderate fertilization (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year); low to medium maintenance requirement; requires periodic overseeding to fill in bare spots.
Special Characteristics
High traffic tolerance, excellent drought resistance, good shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses, and high resistance to most turf diseases like Dollar Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; significant forage value for livestock but can contain endophytes which require management in pasture settings.