Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass; highly adapted to transition zones
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); specific cultivar unknown, likely a contractor blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold hardiness; remains green in mild winters.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. It forms dense isolated clumps if not seeded heavily. It maintains color well in heat compared to other cool-season grasses and produces visible panicle seed heads if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm); rolled vernation; pointed tips; prominent parallel veins (ridges) on the upper surface; lower surface is smooth and glossy. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short hairs may be present).
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment speed; high drought tolerance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, particularly in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons; spreads primarily through tillering
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of sun); moderate water needs but can survive extended dry periods by going semi-dormant; prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0 to 4.0 inches (mow higher in summer); low to medium maintenance; fertilize 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft annually mostly in fall; requires periodic overseeding.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; excellent drought resistance for its type; moderate shade tolerance; susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in high humidity; does not self-repair well.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides good soil stabilization for slopes; frequently used in mixes with Kentucky Bluegrass; can be considered weedy in fine-textured lawns like Bentgrass.