Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety unknown but exhibits traditional dark green coloration and medium-coarse blade width.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for the southern transition zone; high cold tolerance; briefly dormant during extreme heat or cold.
About This Grass
A robust, deep-rooted grass forming dense clumps. It maintains a dark green color throughout the growing season and stays green longer into winter than warm-season grasses. Texture is medium-to-coarse with a vertical growth habit.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 4-10mm (medium to coarse); venation is distinctly ribbed on the upper surface with a prominent midrib; tip shape is sharply pointed; vernation is rolled in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (rudimentary).
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet); low thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate recovery from wear due to lack of extensive rhizomes; excellent soil stabilization.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, specifically the transition zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); spreads primarily through tillering; some newer cultivars have short rhizomes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers at least 4-6 hours of sun; high drought tolerance for a cool-season grass; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; mow weekly; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance; requires annual overseeding to maintain density since it does not spread by stolons.
Special Characteristics
Superior wear tolerance and drought resistance; good shade tolerance; highly resistant to summer patches compared to other fescues; excellent for high-traffic home lawns and parks.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides ground cover for soil erosion; less invasive than Kentucky Bluegrass but can dominate native prairie species if not managed; often mixed with 5-10% Kentucky Bluegrass for self-repairing capabilities.