Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (now often classified as Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); specific cultivar indeterminate from photo but displays common darker green, finer leaf traits than 'K-31'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7 (widely used in the Transition Zone); excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green through mild winters.
About This Grass
A robust, deep-rooted cool-season grass. It forms a dense, upright turf with a dark green color. When mowed, it provides a uniform surface; when unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet with open panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse to medium blade width (3-5mm), flat shape, pointed tip. Prominent longitudinal veins on the upper surface and a dull underside. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small, blunt, and slightly hairy.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet), low thatch tendency, medium establishment speed from seed. Deep roots provide excellent drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate climates of North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); establishes dense tillers, though some modern cultivars may have short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate water needs with high drought tolerance once established. Prefers well-drained soils with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Mowing frequency weekly in spring/fall. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year. Low to medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once mature, good disease resistance (though susceptible to Brown Patch), excellent shade tolerance compared to Bluegrass, and superior drought avoidance due to deep roots.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides soil stabilization for slopes and prevents erosion. Limited wildlife food value compared to native grasses; often grown in blends with Kentucky Bluegrass for better recovery.