Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); cultivar unidentified but exhibits typical dense, upright growth and finer blades than older forage varieties like 'Kentucky 31'.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance; stays semi-evergreen in Midsouth winters.
About This Grass
A robust, deep-rooted cool-season grass with a bunching growth habit. It maintains a rich green color throughout the growing season and stays green longer into the winter than many other cool-season grasses. Forms a dense turf if seeded at higher rates.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium (3-4mm); flat shape with a pointed tip; dark green color; vernation is rolled in the bud. The upper surface of the blade is prominently ridged or veined, whereas the underside is smooth and glossy. Ligule is a short membrane; auricles are typically absent or very small/blunt.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep); low thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed. The deep roots provide superior drought tolerance and stability compared to Kentucky Bluegrass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and adapted to the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons, leading to a localized expansion to form dense mats.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of direct sun); moderate water needs but possesses high drought tolerance once established. Prefers well-drained soils with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 3 to 4 inches; frequency is weekly during peak growth seasons; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; low dethatching needs but benefits from core aeration. Maintenance level is Medium.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance; excellent resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot; moderate salt tolerance; highest shade tolerance among common cool-season sun grasses; poor recovery from bare spots due to bunch habit (requires overseeding).
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization on slopes; seeds provide food for small birds and mammals; often mixed with 5-10% Kentucky Bluegrass to improve sod density and self-repairing capabilities.