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); specific cultivar unknown, but exhibits transition-zone adaptability with dark green color and medium texture.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; exceptional heat tolerance for cool-season grass. Goes semi-dormant in extreme summer heat or winter cold but maintains green color longer than warm-season grasses.
About This Grass
A dense, bunching grass with a deep green color. Under lawn maintenance, it forms a thick canopy. If unmowed, it reaches 2-4 feet. Features a panicle seed head and coarse to medium leafy texture.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium (3-5mm), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Color is dark green with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface and a dull undersurface. Vernation is rolled. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short-hairy).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), giving it superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, especially the Transition Zone and Pacific Northwest.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); spreads primarily through tillering. Some newer cultivars may have limited short rhizomes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Adapts to Full Sun to Partial Shade (needs 4-6 hours direct light). Moderate water needs; excellent drought tolerance for a C3 grass. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Frequency: weekly during spring/fall. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year. Requires core aeration; low dethatching needs. Maintenance level: Medium.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; good disease resistance (though susceptible to brown patch in high humidity); moderate shade tolerance; excellent for high-traffic home lawns and parks.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; widely used for soil stabilization on slopes due to deep roots. Provides cover for small mammals; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass (90/10 mix) for improved durability and repair.