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) - generic multi-blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for its species; survives cold winters but may go semi-dormant in extreme cold.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. It forms dense clumps and is known for its upright growth and ability to stay green during heat stress compared to other cool-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (3-10mm); flat shape with a pointed tip; dark green color; rolled vernation; prominent longitudinal ribs on the upper leaf surface; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (rudimentary).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch tendency; slow recovery from wear due to bunch-forming habit; excellent drought avoidance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone in the USA
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited short rhizomes may be present in certain modern cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (excellent shade tolerance for a cool-season grass); moderate water needs but can survive extended dry periods; prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; core aeration recommended annually; requires periodic overseeding to fill in bare spots; Medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
High traffic tolerance; good resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot; high salt tolerance; deep roots provide best-in-class drought tolerance among cool-season grasses.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America; provides soil stabilization on slopes; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass (90/10 ratio) to improve sod knitting and repairability.