Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf and Pasture Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a Kentucky 31 or older forage-type cultivar given the coarse texture and broad blades
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; widely grown in the Transition Zone due to heat tolerance superior to most cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that forms dense clumps. It maintains a medium-to-dark green color throughout the growing season and stays green longer into winter than warm-season grasses. Seed heads are large panicles produced in late spring if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (5-10mm), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Color is typically medium green. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The upper surface has prominent, rough veins (ribbed appearance), and the underside is glossy/shiny. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet), providing excellent drought tolerance. Establishment is moderate via seed; does not form a true sod due to bunching habit.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, particularly in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons and has a slow lateral spread
Sunlight & Water Needs
Adapts to Full Sun or Partial Shade (4-6 hours direct light). Higher drought tolerance than Bluegrass/Ryegrass but needs supplemental water during extreme summer heat to prevent dormancy.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Frequent mowing required during spring/fall peaks. 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to Medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding to repair bare patches.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic durability. High resistance to summer patch and dollar spot, though susceptible to brown patch in high humidity. Good salt tolerance and moderate shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides forage for livestock and seeds for birds. Effective for erosion control on slopes due to deep roots. Often mixed with Bluegrass or Clover (as seen in image) for increased lawn resilience.