Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety unknown, likely a modern turf cultivar
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; moderate cold tolerance; becomes semi-dormant in extreme winter cold.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass forming dense individual clumps. It has a deep green color and remains green longer into the summer than most cool-season grasses. Generally maintained at 3-4 inches; can reach 2-4 feet if left unmowed with panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Wide blades (4-10mm), noticeably ribbed on the upper surface with a rough margin. Tips are pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), giving it superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Very low thatch tendency due to its bunch-type growth habit.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; lacks extensive spreading capability
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (moderate shade tolerance). High water needs during establishment, but drought-tolerant once mature. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches. Moderate fertilization (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year). Low dethatching needs. Frequent overseeding is required to maintain density since it does not spread.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic durability. High resistance to summer patch and dollar spot, though susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in high humidity. Good salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Excellent for soil stabilization and slope erosion control. Some varieties contain endophytes (beneficial fungi) that deter surface-feeding insects.