Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety unknown but exhibiting improved dark green color and moderate blade width characteristic of modern turf-type cultivars.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; survives in Zone 8 with irrigation. High heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green through mild winters but may go dormant in extreme cold.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass known for its deep green color and vertical growth habit. It forms dense clumps and does not spread laterally through runners. It maintains color well in heat compared to other cool-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Width: 3-5mm (medium-coarse); Shape: Flat; Tip: Pointed/Tapered; Color: Dark green with visible longitudinal ribs (veins) on the upper surface. Vernation: Rolled in the bud; Ligule: Short, membranous, truncate; Auricles: Small or absent, often with very fine hairs on the margin.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep); low thatch-forming tendency; slow to recover from thinning due to bunch-forming nature; excellent for soil stability.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, particularly in the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons, though some newer cultivars exhibit limited rhizomatous activity.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (excellent shade tolerance for a cool-season grass); 4-6 hours minimum sun; moderate water needs but possesses high drought tolerance due to deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 3.0 to 4.0 inches; frequency: weekly during peak growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; maintenance level: Medium. Core aeration recommended annually.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; high heat and drought resistance; resistant to most common diseases except Brown Patch in high humidity; good salt tolerance; suited for home lawns and park areas.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides good soil stabilization for erosion control; moderate wildlife value; can be invasive in native wildlands; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for better sod strength.