Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly successful in the interior transition zone; enters semi-dormancy in extreme heat or extreme cold.
About This Grass
A dense, bunching grass with a deep green color. Maintained lawns appear uniform and upright. If left unmowed, it can reach heights of 2-4 feet. Texture is medium-to-coarse compared to fine fescues.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium-coarse (3-4mm); flat shape with prominent longitudinal veins on the upper surface. Tips are pointed (acuminate). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are typically absent or very small.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet deep, allowing for superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Does not form significant thatch but has slow lateral recovery from injury.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); can occasionally produce short rhizomes but lacks aggressive spreading capability.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has moderate shade tolerance. Requires roughly 1 inch of water per week in summer to maintain green color; highly drought-resistant due to deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 3 to 4 inches; frequency is once per week during peak growth. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year. Low-to-medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; good resistance to heat and drought for a cool-season grass; moderate shade tolerance; susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; serves as forage for livestock (though some endophytes are toxic to certain animals); non-invasive in most managed landscapes.