Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA zones 3-8; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; moderate cold tolerance.
About This Grass
A hardy, coarse-to-medium textured grass with a deep green color. Forms a dense turf when seeded heavily but naturally grows in bunches. It maintains green color longer into the winter than warm-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Width: 3-5mm (medium-coarse); Shape: flat with prominent longitudinal veins on top; Tip: pointed/tapered; Vernation: rolled; Ligule: short, membranous; Auricles: small, blunt, and hairy; Color: dark green.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), giving it excellent drought tolerance; low thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to North American transition zones
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming), may possess short rhizomes in modern cultivars; dense upright growth
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; prefers 4-6 hours of light; moderate water needs; very high drought tolerance once established; adapts to many soil types including clay.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 3.0-4.0 inches; frequency: weekly during peak spring/fall growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance; high heat and drought resistance; good disease resistance to brown patch; excellent for erosion control on slopes; shade tolerant compared to Bluegrass.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides soil stabilization for riparian areas; can be invasive in native prairies; often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved traffic recovery.