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, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic variety visible
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7 (best in transition zone); high heat tolerance; good cold tolerance; stays green in winter unless temperatures are extreme.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium textured grass with a deep green color. Forms dense clumps and maintains color well in heat compared to other cool-season grasses. Seed heads are panicles, though rarely seen in mown turf.
Blade Characteristics
Width: 3-5mm (medium-coarse); Shape: flat; Tip: pointed; Color: medium-dark green; Vernation: rolled in the bud; Texture: ribbed on top, smooth/glossy on underside; Ligule: short, membranous; Auricles: small/absent.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet); low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed from seed; creates a durable but non-creeping sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to North America transition zones
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; high drought tolerance for a cool-season grass due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 3.0-4.0 inches; Frequency: weekly; Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding due to bunch-forming habit.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; high shade tolerance relative to other lawn grasses; resistant to many common turf diseases like dollar spot, though susceptible to brown patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America; provides soil stabilization; low wildlife forage value in turf form; can be invasive in native prairie restorations; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass.