Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial, C3 pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), specific cultivar unknown
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold hardiness.
About This Grass
A dense, upright bunching grass. It maintains a deep green color year-round in many climates. While coarser than bluegrass, modern turf-type varieties offer a finer texture and high density. Seed heads are panicles, though rarely seen in maintained lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 3-10mm (medium-coarse); prominent longitudinal veins on upper surface; pointed tips; rolled vernation; short membranous ligule; auricles absent or small/non-clasping.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (can reach 2-3 feet); low thatch tendency; slow recovery due to bunching habit; excellent drought avoidance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the US
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited rhizomatous activity in some newer cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but can survive long dry periods by going dormant.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 3.0-4.0 inches; frequency: weekly during peak growth; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; excellent shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; resistant to many turf diseases but susceptible to Brown Patch.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides soil stabilization via deep roots; often host to beneficial endophytes that improve pest resistance; frequently used in mixes with Kentucky Bluegrass.
Notes
Mound