Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7 (best in Transition Zone); high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold hardiness; limited winter dormancy.
About This Grass
A dense, upright-growing grass with a deep green color. Primarily grows in bunches rather than spreading laterally like bluegrass, forming a thick canopy. It maintains color well in summer heat compared to other cool-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse to medium-wide (4-10mm); flat shape with a pointed tip; dark green color; rolled vernation in the bud; leaf surface has prominent longitudinal veins/ridges and rough margins; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); slow to form thatch; provides excellent drought avoidance; high wear recovery through plant density.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; now widespread in North America including the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); occasionally produces short, weak rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (4-6 hours minimum); high water needs for green appearance, but high drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; weekly mowing; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; low dethatching needs but annual aeration/overseeding recommended; Medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Superior drought and wear tolerance; excellent shade tolerance compared to other lawn grasses; resistant to many common turf diseases except Brown Patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; provides soil stabilization on slopes; can be invasive in native prairies; often used in mixtures with 5-10% Kentucky Bluegrass to fill in gaps.