Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 carbon fixation
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic mix identifiable by medium-fine texture and clump-forming habit
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; has high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass but can suffer in extreme Southern climates without irrigation.
About This Grass
A dense, bunching grass with a deep green color. Features coarse to medium textures depending on the cultivar. It stays green year-round in moderate climates but can show tip-burn or dormancy in extreme heat or cold.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium (3-5mm), with a prominent longitudinal vein structure and a distinctly pointed tip. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The ligule is short and membranous, and auricles are typically absent or very small (non-clasping).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep), which provides excellent drought resistance. It has a low thatch-forming tendency and slow lateral spread recovery due to its bunching habit.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and adapted to the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); spreads primarily through tillering, though some newer cultivars possess short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun but has moderate shade tolerance. Requires roughly 1 inch of water per week; highly drought-tolerant compared to other cool-season grasses due to deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height is 3 to 4 inches. Frequency is moderate. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Maintenance level is Medium; requires periodic overseeding to fill in bare patches.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once established; resistant to many common pests but susceptible to Brown Patch fungus (Rhizoctonia solani) in humid, hot conditions (often visible as the tan patches seen in the image).
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides excellent soil stabilization. Often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass (90/10 ratio) to provide better disease resistance and lateral spread.