Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, and Forage Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for its type; stays green through most of the winter in mild climates.
About This Grass
A robust, hardy grass with a deep green color. Growth is upright and coarse. Notable for its durability and bunching nature, requiring overseeding to repair bare spots. Seed heads are open panicles common in unmowed settings.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse, medium to wide blades (4-8mm); flat shape with pointed tips; dark green color; visible longitudinal veins (ribbed upper surface); rolled vernation; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep); moderate thatch tendency; slow establishment but excellent drought resistance due to depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Africa, and West Asia; highly adapted to the US Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type; occasionally produces short rhizomes but lacks extensive spreading ability. Forms dense clumps.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun but has good Shade Tolerance for a cool-season grass; requires regular watering during establishment but possesses high drought tolerance once mature.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 3.0 to 4.0 inches; medium maintenance; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; core aeration recommended in fall.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; good disease resistance (though susceptible to brown patch in high humidity); moderate salt tolerance; excellent for erosion control and high-traffic home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides soil stabilization on slopes; low wildlife value in turf form; can be invasive in native meadows; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved self-repair.