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), likely an early-generation or common variant
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 7 (commonly used in the transition zone). High heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green through mild winters.
About This Grass
A deep-rooted cool-season grass with a coarse to medium texture. It maintains a dark green color during spring and fall but may struggle in extreme summer heat without water. Seed heads (if allowed to grow) are panicles with a branched structure.
Blade Characteristics
Width: coarse to medium (4-10mm). Shape: flat with heavy longitudinal ribbing on the upper surface. Tip: pointed. Color: dark green. Vernation: rolled in the bud. Ligule: short, membranous. Auricles: small, blunt, and slightly hairy.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet in depth, being the deepest of the cool-season grasses. Minimal thatch tendency. Establishment speed: moderate (faster than bluegrass but slower than ryegrass).
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Africa, and Temperate Asia; now naturalized throughout North America and used in transition zones.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming), though some newer cultivars feature short rhizomes. Growth is dense in clumps but lacks aggressive spreading.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate to high water needs during establishment, but very high drought tolerance once mature due to deep roots. Prefers pH 5.5 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height: 2.0 to 4.0 inches (recommend 3+ inches for heat resistance). Frequency: weekly during peak growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Maintenance level: Medium.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance, excellent drought tolerance, moderate shade tolerance, and good resistance to common diseases like dollar spot, though susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia). Excellent for erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; can be invasive in native meadows. Provides forage for livestock (though tall fescue endophytes can be toxic to some animals). Used for soil stabilization and carbon sequestration due to deep rooting.