Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety unknown, likely a modern commercial blend given the dark green color and medium-coarse texture.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly suited for the 'Transition Zone'; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green until hard frost then enters brown dormancy.
About This Grass
A robust, upright grass forming dense clumps. It features a medium-to-coarse texture and a deep green color. When unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet; maintained turf is typically kept dense and lush. Seed heads are open panicles appearing in late spring.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 4-10mm (coarse); flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip; dark green with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface; vernation is rolled in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short hairs may be present).
Root System
Substantial and deep (up to 2-3 feet), fibrous root system; low thatch tendency; slow-to-moderate establishment from seed; excellent wear recovery due to crown density.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Africa, and Temperate Asia; now widespread in North American Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; lacks aggressive creeping stolons.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial to Full Sun (at least 4-6 hours); excellent shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; moderate water needs but possesses high drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0 to 4.0 inches; mow weekly; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; low-to-medium maintenance; does not require frequent dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance; resistant to many turf diseases except Brown Patch in high humidity; high salt tolerance; best-in-class shade tolerance for common lawn grasses.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization on slopes; seeds used by birds; often used in blends with Kentucky Bluegrass for ecological resilience.