Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic multi-blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold hardiness; semi-dormant in extreme winter cold.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured turf grass that grows in dense clumps. It maintains a medium-to-dark green color throughout the year in temperate climates. Unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet; maintained turf stays 2-4 inches. Seed heads are large, open panicles.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium-to-coarse (3-4mm+); blades are flat with prominent longitudinal veins on the upper surface. Tips are sharply pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (shortly ciliate).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (reaching 2-3 feet), allowing for high drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Low thatch tendency; slow recovery from heavy wear due to bunching habit.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with limited short rhizomes; slow lateral spread
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun. Low-to-moderate water needs once established; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; weekly frequency. 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Requires periodic overseeding to fill in bare spots. Medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent drought resistance and shade tolerance; high wear tolerance for foot traffic; resistant to many turf diseases but susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia solani) in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control. Low wildlife value for forage compared to native bunchgrasses. Often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for better self-repair and texture.