Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial, C3 pathway, Transition zone dominant
Grass Family
Poaceae, Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic variety visible with medium-coarse blade
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7, excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, good cold hardiness, semi-dormant in extreme heat or cold.
About This Grass
A hardy, clump-forming grass with a deep green color and medium-coarse texture. It maintains color well into the fall and stays green longer under heat stress than other cool-season grasses. Seed heads are panicles, though rarely seen in maintained lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 4-8mm (coarse), flat shape, pointed tip with prominent parallel veins/ribs on the upper surface. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent or small and non-clasping.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet deep), low thatch tendency, slow to moderate establishment from seed. Forms a dense turf but does not spread to fill bare spots easily.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the United States Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited short rhizomes may be present in newer cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (needs 4-6 hours sun), moderate water needs but possesses high drought tolerance due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5-4.0 inches, frequent mowing required during spring/fall peaks, 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually, low to medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance, excellent shade tolerance (better than Bluegrass/Bermuda), good disease resistance to dollar spot but susceptible to brown patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced species, excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes, provides forage for livestock, can be invasive in native prairie ecosystems.