Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 physiological pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); specific cultivar unknown, but exhibits more refined texture than 'Kentucky 31'.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains semi-evergreen in southern transition zones but may go dormant in extreme cold or heat.
About This Grass
A hardy, deep-rooted grass forming dense clumps. It features a medium-to-dark green color and stays green longer into the winter than warm-season grasses. It reaches 2-4 feet if unmowed, producing panicle seed heads in spring.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width: 3-5mm (medium-coarse); Shape: Flat; Tip: Pointed; Color: Dark green with visible longitudinal veins; Vernation: Rolled in the bud; Ligule: Short, membranous; Auricles: Small or absent; Margins: Rough/serrated to the touch.
Root System
Deeply fibrous (reaching 2-3 feet), providing excellent drought tolerance. High establishment speed from seed; low thatch-forming tendency compared to bluegrass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States and temperate regions globally.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); primary spread through Tillering. Some newer cultivars may possess short rhizomes but it generally lacks aggressive spreading capabilities.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial to Full Sun (4-6+ hours); moderate watering needs; highest drought tolerance among cool-season grasses; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 3.0-4.0 inches; frequency: weekly during peak growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; periodic aeration and overseeding required due to bunch-forming habit.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; excellent shade tolerance compared to Bermuda; resistant to most lawn pests; susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) during hot, humid summers.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides soil stabilization via deep roots; lower maintenance chemical requirements than Kentucky Bluegrass; often blended with 5-10% Kentucky Bluegrass for better sod knitting.