Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial, C3 pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a common commercial mix based on bunching habit
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance; stays green until significant frost.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. It grows in distinct clumps or bunches, which can lead to a patchy appearance if the stand thins out. It maintains color well into the fall and stays green during mild winters.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width usually coarse (4-10mm); flat shape with a pointed tip; prominent veins on the upper surface; dark green color; rolled vernation in the bud; short membranous ligule; auricles absent or very small and blunt.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed; excellent drought avoidance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, especially the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited rhizome development in some modern cultivars, but primarily spreads via tillering
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most cool-season grasses); moderate water needs but possesses high drought tolerance; prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; frequency weekly during peak growth; fertilization 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance requirement.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; good disease resistance (though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity); moderate shade tolerance; excellent for high-traffic home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides cover for small mammals and food for livestock; used for soil stabilization on slopes; can be invasive in native meadows; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for better sod strength.