Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Phenotype suggests a forage-type or K-31, but modern turf-type variations are common in homeowners' seed mixes.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly successful in the Transition Zone due to heat tolerance superior to Bluegrass or Ryegrass.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that grows in distinct clumps. It maintains a dark green color during spring and fall but may yellow slightly in extreme heat. Unlike fine fescue, it is robust and remains upright, reaching 12-48 inches if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is coarse (5-10mm); blades are flat with prominent longitudinal veins (ribged on top); leaf tips are sharply pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short, membranous; auricles are usually absent or very small (rudimentary) and hairs are typically present at the collar margins.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep), which provides excellent drought resistance. Low thatch tendency due to its bunch-type growth habit; slow to fill in bare spots without overseeding.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across the United States, especially in the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons and primarily spreads via tillering.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (excellent shade tolerance for a cool-season grass); requires approximately 1 inch of water per week but can survive periods of drought by going dormant.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height is high (3.0-4.0 inches) to protect the crown and encourage deep roots. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Maintenance level is moderate.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance and traffic resistance; good resistance to many common turf diseases except for Brown Patch in high humidity; excellent for erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides high forage value for livestock, though some varieties contain endophytes that can affect animal health. Valuable for soil stabilization but can be invasive in native prairie restoration areas.