Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety unknown but exhibiting improved density and finer leaf texture than K-31
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly suited for the Transition Zone. Good heat tolerance for a C3 grass; goes dormant in extreme cold or prolonged drought.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured perennial grass forming dense clumps. It maintains a deep green color throughout the growing season and stays green longer into winter than warm-season grasses. Unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet with panicle-type seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 5-10mm (medium-coarse), flat, pointed tips (not boat-shaped), dark green color. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Visible prominent veins on the upper surface and a distinct dull underside. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but typically have short hairs (ciliate).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (reaching 2-3 feet), low thatch tendency. High establishment speed from seed. Deep roots provide excellent drought avoidance and superior wear tolerance.
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); occasionally produces short rhizomes but primarily spreads through tillering
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of sunlight. Moderate watering needs; best drought tolerance among cool-season grasses. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches. Frequency: weekly during peak growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year. Low to medium maintenance; does not require frequent dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance, high shade tolerance for a cool-season grass, and good disease resistance to Dollar Spot, though susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in humid heat.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; used heavily for soil stabilization on slopes due to deep roots. Often contains beneficial endophytes (fungi) that provide natural resistance to leaf-feeding insects.