Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a modern cultivar characterized by darker green color and narrower blades than 'Kentucky 31'.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7 (best in the Transition Zone). Excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance, though susceptible to winter desiccation.
About This Grass
A hardy, deep-rooted grass with a dense bunch-type growth habit. It maintains a dark green color throughout the growing season and into early winter. Unmowed, it can reach 2-4 feet; maintained, it forms a cohesive but non-creeping turf.
Blade Characteristics
Medium blade width (approx. 3-5mm), distinctly visible parallel veins (ribbed upper surface), pointed tips, dark green color. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (non-clasping).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), which provides excellent drought tolerance and stability. Low thatch-forming tendency compared to Kentucky Bluegrass. Slow to moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, particularly in the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with limited short rhizomes occasionally present in newer cultivars; slow to spread laterally.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun but has moderate shade tolerance. Requires 4-6 hours of sun minimum. Moderate water needs with high drought tolerance once established due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height 2.5-4.0 inches. Frequency: weekly during peak growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding due to bunch-type habit.
Special Characteristics
Extreme wear and traffic tolerance. High resistance to summer patch and heat stress. Good salt tolerance. Excellent for home lawns, parks, and low-maintenance athletic fields. Drought recovery is good via dormancy.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Low wildlife value compared to native bunchgrasses. Can be competitive and slightly invasive in sensitive native prairie ecosystems.