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); variety unknown but exhibiting the dark green, finer-textured characteristic of modern cultivars.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7. Excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green for longer into winter than warm-season grasses.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured, deep-rooted grass known for its dark green color and durability. It forms dense clumps but does not possess creeping stolons, resulting in a bunchy appearance if not overseeded.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (4-10mm), prominently veined/ribbed on the upper surface, smooth beneath. Pointed tips (tapering to a point). Rolled vernation in the bud. Faint or absent auricles. Short, membranous ligule.
Root System
Exceptionally deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep once established), providing superior drought tolerance for a cool-season grass. Low thatch tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and Australia. Ideal for the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); primary spread through Tillering. Some newer cultivars may possess short rhizomes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Moderate Shade (one of the most shade-tolerant cool-season grasses). Prefers 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate water needs with high drought avoidance due to deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height: 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Medium maintenance. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Requires periodic overseeding to fill in bare spots.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance and traffic durability. Resistant to many common pathogens but susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in high heat and humidity. Excellent drought recovery.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America. Widely used for soil stabilization on slopes and highway embankments. Provides habitat for ground-nesting birds when unmowed in pasture settings.