Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass and Utility Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Forage-type (wild-type/unimproved)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green in winter in milder climates.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass forming large, dense clumps. It typically reaches 2-4 feet in height when unmowed. Color is generally a medium to dark green. Seed heads are large, open, drooping panicles that appear in late spring or early summer.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (5-10mm wide), flat, with a prominent midrib and distinct longitudinal veins on the upper surface. Tips are sharply pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a short, continuous membrane; auricles are small, blunt, and short-pubescent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep). Low thatch-forming tendency compared to Kentucky Bluegrass. Slow to moderate establishment speed but excellent endurance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); occasionally short-rhizomatous in older plants
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. High drought tolerance for a cool-season grass due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained, acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3-4 inches in turf; unmowed in pastures. Fertilization 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year. Low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding as it does not spread via stolons.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear and traffic tolerance. High resistance to summer heat and drought. Good resistance to most common lawn diseases but susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia solani) in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. High value for erosion control and soil stabilization. Provides forage for livestock, though some wild types may contain endophytes toxic to certain animals. Often used in mixes with Clover or Orchardgrass.