Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, and Pasture Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Generic/K-31 Type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly successful in the US Transition Zone due to its combined heat and cold tolerance.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that forms dense, upright clumps. It stays green year-round in many climates and maintains a medium-to-dark green color without the dormancy period of warm-season grasses. It reaches 2-4 feet if unmowed, producing a panicle seed head.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (5-10mm wide) with a dull green color, prominent longitudinal ribs (veins) on the upper surface, and a shiny underside. The tips are sharply pointed. The vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short and blunt).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep), giving it excellent drought resistance. Low thatch tendency; slow establishment compared to ryegrass but faster than bluegrass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and adapted to the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping); lacks stolons and has very limited/short rhizomes. Clumps expand slowly through tillering.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (needs at least 4-6 hours of sun). High drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; requires moderate watering during summer heat to prevent thinning.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Higher mowing promotes deeper roots. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year. Low-to-medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding because it does not spread to fill bare spots.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once established; excellent shade tolerance for a cool-season grass; resistant to most lawn diseases like Dollar Spot; susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced from Europe; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; serves as forage for livestock (though some varieties contain endophytes); can be invasive in native prairie restoration areas.