Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) Mix
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and good cold hardiness.
About This Grass
A hardy, coarse-textured grass (though modern cultivars are finer) with a deep green color. Grows in dense clumps and maintains color well into the fall. Seed heads are panicles, though rarely seen in maintained lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse blades (3-10mm wide) with prominent parallel veins/ribs on the upper surface. Blade tips are pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short-hairy).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often extending 2-3 feet deep), providing excellent drought resistance. Low thatch producer. Establishment is moderately fast from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, specifically in the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited short rhizomes may be present in certain newer cultivars but lacks aggressive spreading.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of sun). High drought tolerance once established due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height of 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Mowing frequency is weekly during peak growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and heat resistance. Susceptible to Brown Patch disease in high humidity. Good shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Used effectively for soil stabilization and erosion control. Often contains beneficial endophytes (fungi) that provide natural resistance to certain leaf-feeding insects.