Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage, Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Forage-type (wild type established in meadow)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly well-adapted to the 'Transition Zone' due to heat tolerance and cold hardiness. It remains green into winter but may go dormant in extreme heat/drought.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass forming dense clumps. When unmowed, as seen in the image, it reaches 2-4 feet in height with open, nodding panicles. Color is typically dark green, turning straw-colored in the seed head stage at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (5-10mm), flat shape with a pointed tip. Notable for prominent longitudinal veins/ridges on the upper surface. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small, blunt, and may have fine hairs (ciliate).
Root System
Exceptionally deep fibrous root system (reaching 2-3 feet or more), which provides superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Minimal thatch tendency; slow to spread laterally.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and temperate regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); has very limited/short rhizomatous activity in some cultivars but primarily grows in upright tufts
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has moderate shade tolerance. High water needs for best appearance but high drought survival due to deep roots. Adapted to wide soil range (pH 5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintenance level is medium. For turf, ideal height is 3 to 4 inches. Frequency depends on rain/fertilizer. Fertilizer: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Does not require frequent dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance; superior heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass; moderate salt and shade tolerance. Susceptible to Brown Patch disease in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides forage for livestock and nesting cover for birds in meadows. Excellent for soil stabilization on slopes. Often contains endophytic fungi that provide pest resistance but can be toxic to some livestock if not managed.