Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 physiological pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold hardiness; remains semi-evergreen in many transition zone climates.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass forming dense clumps. It maintains a dark green color later into the fall and recovers earlier in spring than most warm-season grasses. Seed heads are open panicles, though rarely seen in maintained lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (4-10mm); prominently veined on the upper surface with a dull underside; tips are pointed; vernation is rolled in the bud; ligule is a short membrane; auricles are absent or very small and blunt.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (reaching 2-3 feet deep); low thatch tendency; slow recovery from damage due to bunching habit; excellent drought avoidance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate regions of North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited short rhizomes may be present in newer cultivars but it lacks aggressive spreading
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but possesses high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height 3.0-4.0 inches; frequency weekly during peak growth; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; low dethatching needs; annual aeration and overseeding required to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once established; good shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; resistant to many common lawn diseases like Dollar Spot, though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides forage for livestock; excellent for soil stabilization on slopes due to deep roots; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass (approx 90/10 ratio) for improved density and repair.