Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic variety visible
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly adaptable to the transition zone owing to superior heat tolerance compared to Bluegrass.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass forming dense clumps. Displays a deep emerald to dark green color, staying green through mild winters. Height varies from 2-4 inches in lawns to 3 feet in wild pastures. Noted for its rugged appearance and vertical growth.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (4-10mm), prominently veined on the upper surface with a rough margin. Blade tip is sharply pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (hairy if present). Collars are broad and divided.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), giving excellent drought tolerance. Low thatch tendency due to bunch habit. Slow to fill bare spots as it lacks aggressive stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America transition zones
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping). Limited tillering and short rhizomes in newer cultivars.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; needs 4-6 hours of sun. High water needs during establishment, moderate once mature. Excellent drought tolerance for a cool-season grass.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3-4 inches; mowed weekly. Requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding to remedy thinning clumps.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic resistance. High resistance to Brown Patch and heat stress. Poor ability to recover from sod damage without reseeding.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; frequently used for soil stabilization on slopes. Provides cover for small mammals. Can be invasive in native wildflower meadows due to its competitive bunching.