Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly adaptable to the Transition Zone due to better heat tolerance than bluegrass or ryegrass.
About This Grass
Strong, upright growth with a deep green or blue-green color. It maintains a dense carpet when mowed properly but grows in coarse clumps if neglected. Known for its vertical leaf orientation and lack of creeping stolons.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium-coarse (4-10mm); leaf tips are sharply pointed; vernation is rolled in the bud; prominent veins on the upper surface with a dull underside; rough leaf margins; auricles are small or absent; ligule is short and membranous.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 3-6 feet deep, providing superior drought resistance; low thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, especially in the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); limited short rhizomes in specific modern cultivars; forms dense individual tillers.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers 6+ hours of sun but is the most shade-tolerant of cool-season grasses; moderate water needs but possesses high drought avoidance due to root depth.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 2.0 to 4.0 inches; frequency: weekly during peak spring/fall growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft annually; maintenance level: Medium.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; resistance to many common turf diseases except Brown Patch in high humidity; good salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization for slopes; frequently used in mixes with Kentucky Bluegrass; can be invasive in native wildflower meadows.