Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic variety
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and good cold hardiness. Remains green through much of the winter in transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. It typically forms dense clumps. When mowed, it maintains a thick upright appearance. Unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet with panicle-type seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (3-6mm). Blades are flat with prominent longitudinal veins/ridges on the upper surface. The tips are pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous. Auricles are small or absent but typically lack hairs.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep), which provides superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. It is a slow sod former and has low thatch tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, particularly the U.S. Transition Zone and Northern regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); occasionally produces short rhizomes but lacks aggressive spreading capabilities.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate watering needs, though it is the most drought-tolerant cool-season grass. Prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height: 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Frequency: weekly during peak growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; requires overseeding to repair bare spots due to bunch growth habit.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance, excellent drought resistance, and moderate shade tolerance. It is more resistant to Pythium blight than Ryegrass but susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides soil stabilization due to deep roots. Often found in companion with White Clover (Trifolium repens), as seen in this image, which provides nitrogen fixation for the grass.