Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance; stays green in winter in milder climates.
About This Grass
A deep-rooted, persistent grass with a medium-to-coarse texture. It maintains a dark green color throughout much of the year, particularly in spring and fall. It grows in upright clumps but appears as a carpet in well-maintained lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Width of 3-10mm (medium to coarse); flat shape with a pointed tip; dark green color; rolled vernation in the bud; prominent veins on the upper surface with a rough margin; ligule is short, membranous, and truncate; auricles are small or absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet); low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed; excellent drought tolerance due to depth of extraction.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America across the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping), occasionally produces short rhizomes; forms a dense, uniform sod when seeded heavily
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours minimum sun; moderate water needs but can survive long dry periods by going dormant; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height of 3.0-4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization of 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft annually; low-medium maintenance requirements compared to bluegrass.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; good shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; resistant to many turf diseases though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity; excellent for high-traffic home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America; provides soil stabilization on slopes; low wildlife food value but provides cover; sometimes hosts an endophytic fungus that protects the plant but can be toxic to livestock if not using 'endophyte-free' seeds.