Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 landscape grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); specific cultivar indeterminable without genetic testing, but shows improved density over forage types.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; adapts best to the Transition Zone where it survives both cold winters and hot summers; remains green through mild winters.
About This Grass
A robust, upright grass with a deep green color and medium-to-coarse texture. It grows in distinct clumps but provides a thick coverage when mowed regularly. It maintains color well during summer heat compared to other cool-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (3-4mm); flat shape with prominent longitudinal ribs on the upper surface; pointed tips; vernation is rolled in the bud; leaf margins are often rough or scabrous to the touch; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), providing superior drought tolerance; low thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and North America.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; forms a dense, uniform sod when seeded heavily.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (highly versatile); requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but possesses the best drought tolerance of cool-season turfgrasses due to root depth; prefers well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5–4.0 inches; mowing frequency is weekly during peak growth; fertilization of 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; low-medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding to repair bare spots as it does not spread rapidly.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; excellent heat and drought tolerance for a C3 grass; good disease resistance against Brown Patch; moderate salt tolerance; capable of growing in heavy clay soils.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for slopes; often contains endophytes (beneficial fungi) that deter leaf-feeding insects; commonly blended with 5-10% Kentucky Bluegrass for improved recovery.