Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Forage, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic mix
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly successful in the Transition Zone due to heat tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. In this image, it appears integrated with broadleaf weeds like Creeping Charlie and Clover. It maintains a dense upright growth pattern but lacks lateral spreading capabilities, often requiring overseeding to fill bare spots.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium-coarse (approx. 3-6mm). The blades are flat with prominent longitudinal veins/ridges on the upper surface. The tips are sharply pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are typically absent or very small and blunt.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet deep, providing excellent drought tolerance. It is a slow-thatch producer but forms a very tough, wear-resistant sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, specifically the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited rhizome activity in some modern cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has moderate shade tolerance (better than Bluegrass). Low to moderate water needs once established due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height is 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Higher mowing promotes deeper roots. Frequency is weekly during peak spring/fall growth. Low to medium maintenance level; needs 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance and excellent heat/drought resistance for a cool-season grass. Susceptible to Brown Patch disease during hot, humid summers. Does not recover quickly from damage due to bunching habit.
Ecological Information
Introduced species. Provides soil stabilization on slopes. Often mixed with Bluegrass for 'self-repair' capabilities or Clover (as seen in image) for nitrogen fixation. Can become invasive in native prairie settings.