Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF), exact cultivar unknown
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for the transition zone; stays green under moderate cold but goes dormant in extreme frost.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. It maintains green color well into the winter and is known for its upright, clump-forming growth. The image shows thinning turf with significant brown thatch and organic debris.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width: 3-5mm (medium-coarse); Shape: Flat with prominent longitudinal veins/ridges on the upper surface; Tip: Pointed; Color: Dark green; Vernation: Rolled in the bud; Ligule: Short, membranous; Auricles: Small or absent, often with fine hairs.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); moderate thatch tendency; slow recovery from wear due to bunch-forming nature; excellent drought resistance for a cool-season grass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, particularly in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with limited short rhizomes; forms a dense sod when seeded heavily
Sunlight & Water Needs
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; Water: Requires 1-1.5 inches per week; Drought tolerance: High for cool-season grasses; Soil: Tolerates wide range of pH (5.5-7.5) and clay soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 3.0-4.0 inches; Frequency: Weekly; Fertilizer: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; Maintenance: Medium; requires annual overseeding to fill in bare spots.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance; good shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in high heat/humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provide soil stabilization and forage; can be invasive in native meadows; often used in blends with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved durability.