Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; Excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance; stays green throughout mild winters but may go dormant in extreme cold.
About This Grass
Deep-rooted, tufted grass with a dark green color and medium-to-coarse texture. Forms dense clumps that can create a uniform sod when seeded heavily. Seed heads are large, branched panicles.
Blade Characteristics
Width: 3-5mm (medium-coarse); Shape: Flat; Tip: Pointed; Color: Deep green to dark green; Vernation: Rolled in the bud; Texture: Prominent longitudinal veins on the upper surface with rough margins; Ligule: Short, membranous, or fringed with hairs; Auricles: Small, blunt, or absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet); slow to form thatch; moderate establishment speed; excellent drought tolerance due to depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and Australia
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); occasionally produces very short rhizomes but lacks aggressive spreading
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs; highest drought tolerance among cool-season grasses; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 3.0-4.0 inches; Frequency: Weekly during growing seasons; Fertilizer: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; Aeration recommended; Low to Medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; moderate shade tolerance; excellent resistance to heat stress; susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; used for soil stabilization on slopes; provides some cover for small wildlife; can be invasive in native meadows; often mixed with Bluegrass for improved recovery.