Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic variety
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; adapts well to the Transition Zone. High heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green in winter unless temperatures drop significantly below freezing.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass known for its durability. It has a deep green color in peak season and maintains color later into the fall compared to other cool-season grasses. Forms distinct clumps if not seeded densely.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium-coarse (3-5mm) with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface. Tips are pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are typically absent or very small. Margins are somewhat rough/serrated.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep), allowing for superior drought tolerance. Low thatch-forming tendency; establishment speed is moderate (faster than bluegrass, slower than ryegrass).
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout the United States, performing best in the Transition Zone and temperate regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); limited rhizomatous activity in some modern turf cultivars, forming a dense but non-spreading stand.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun to Partial Shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of sun). Moderate water needs; excellent drought tolerance for a cool-season grass due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; frequency weekly during growth spurts. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Aeration recommended annually; high maintenance for repair since it does not spread via runners.
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance; good shade tolerance compared to Bermuda or Kentucky Bluegrass. Highly resistant to many common lawn diseases but susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Used extensively for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Provides cover for small mammals; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved traffic and drought resilience.