Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, and Forage Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; highly successful in the 'Transition Zone' where other cool-season grasses fail due to summer heat. High heat tolerance; excellent cold hardiness.
About This Grass
A dense, sturdy, clumping grass with a deep green color. Primarily upright growth habit that forms a thick sod when seeded heavily. It maintains green color well into the fall and recovers quickly in early spring. Non-mowed height can reach 3-4 feet with panicle-type seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse blades (3-10mm wide) with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface. Blade tips are sharply pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short and blunt). The leaf margins are typically rough to the touch.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep, occasionally more). Low thatch-forming tendency compared to Kentucky Bluegrass. Faster establishment than bluegrass but slower than ryegrass. Highly drought tolerant due to depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America and temperate climates globally.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping), though some modern cultivars are slightly rhizomatous.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most cool-season grasses). Requires moderate watering. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5. Exceptional drought avoidance through deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 3.0-4.0 inches. Requires frequent mowing during peak spring/fall growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; does not require frequent dethatching but needs overseeding for repair as it does not spread via runners.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance once established. Higher shade tolerance than Kentucky Bluegrass. Resistant to many common turf diseases like dollar spot, though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity. Good salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides significant soil stabilization and erosion control due to root depth. Large-scale use in pastures for livestock (endophyte-free varieties preferred). Minimal invasive behavior in manicured landscapes but can crowd out native species in meadows.