Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety unknown, likely a modern dark green cultivar like 'Titan' or 'Rebel' series
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance; stays green well into winter in transition zones.
About This Grass
Dense, clump-forming turf with a deep green color. Maintained at 2-4 inches, it shows a vertical growth habit. Unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet with open panicle seed heads. Texture is medium-to-coarse compared to fine fescues.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is 5-10mm (coarse); flat shape with a pointed tip; dark green color; rolled vernation in the bud; prominent veins on the upper surface with smooth undersides; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short-ciliolate).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, potentially reaching 2-3 feet deep; low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed; excellent wear recovery and drought avoidance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate regions of North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); primary spread is via tillering, though some modern cultivars exhibit short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade (excellent shade tolerance for a cool-season grass); requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but can survive drought by going dormant; prefers well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; low dethatching needs; annual overseeding recommended for bunch-type density; Medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; high resistance to heat and drought; moderate salt tolerance; prone to Brown Patch disease in high humidity; does not spread via runners, making it non-invasive in garden beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America; provides soil stabilization for slopes; value for livestock forage (non-endophyte varieties); often used in mixes with Kentucky Bluegrass for sun/shade versatility.