Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Unknown (broad-leaf selection similar to 'K-31' or early turf-type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7 (well-suited for the Transition Zone); high heat tolerance for a C3 grass; good cold hardiness; semi-dormant in extreme winter.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured bunchgrass that forms dense clumps. It maintains a deep green color during spring and fall but may struggle in extreme summer heat. Unmowed height reaches 2-4 feet with nodding panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Width: 4-10mm (coarse); Flat shape with pointed tips; Dark green color; Rolled vernation in the bud; Prominent veins on upper surface with a distinct midrib; Absent or very small auricles; Short, membranous ligule.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed; excellent drought tolerance for a cool-season grass due to root depth.
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); very limited short rhizomes occasionally present; slow lateral spread
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (6+ hours) preferred but high shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; moderate water needs; high drought resistance but requires supplemental water in extreme heat to stay green.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height: 3.0-4.0 inches; Mowing frequency: Weekly during growing season; Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year; Low to medium maintenance; Does not require frequent dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; high resistance to summer patch and dollar spot; moderate salt tolerance; one of the most shade-tolerant cool-season turfgrasses; poor self-repairing ability due to bunch habit.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock (though tall fescue endophytes can be toxic to some animals); excellent for soil stabilization on slopes; often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass.