Tall Fescue (mixed with some Foxtail/Timothy weed heads)
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass and Pasture Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7. Excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green longer into summer and winter than many competitors.
About This Grass
A robust, deep-rooted grass with a rich dark green color. It forms dense clumps and has a coarse to medium-coarse texture. The seed heads visible in the image appear to be a mixture of the lawn grass and common weed invaders like Foxtail or Timothy (Phleum pratense) based on the cylindrical, spike-like panicles.
Blade Characteristics
Wide blades (4-10mm), flat shape, pointed tips. The upper surface has prominent parallel veins/ridges with a dull finish, while the underside is shiny and smooth. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (rarely clasping).
Root System
Exceptionally deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), giving it high drought tolerance. Low thatch tendency compared to spreading grasses. Slow to moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, specifically in the Transition Zone and Northern regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping). It spreads primarily through tillering; some modern cultivars have short rhizomes but it does not form a true creeping sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has moderate shade tolerance (superior to Kentucky Bluegrass). High water needs for peak greenness but high drought survival due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height is 3 to 4 inches. Frequency is weekly during spring/fall. Low to medium fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Medium maintenance level; requires periodic overseeding because it lacks spreading stolons/rhizomes to fill bare spots.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear and traffic tolerance; high resistance to heat and drought. Good resistance to many common turf diseases like dollar spot, though susceptible to Brown Patch in humid summers. Excellent for home lawns and low-maintenance parks.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America. High soil stabilization value for erosion control due to deep roots. Can be invasive in native meadows. Often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for a 'best of both worlds' turf mix.