Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, and Sports Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; exceptional heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green in winter unless extreme cold occurs.
About This Grass
A robust, hardy grass with a deep green color. Features a medium-coarse texture and high density when maintained. Seed heads are branched panicles containing 3-10 florets per spikelet.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (5-10mm wide) with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface. Tips are pointed and sharp. Vernation is rolled. Ligule is short and membranous. Auricles are small or absent (short-haired/ciliate).
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system often reaching 2-3 feet. Fast establishment with low thatch tendency; depends on bunch density for wear recovery rather than spreading.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Africa, and West Asia; highly adapted to the US Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type; forms dense clumps with occasional short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred but moderate shade tolerance. High water needs during heat but excellent drought survival due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
2.0 to 4.0 inches height. Requires frequent mowing in spring/fall. 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low-to-medium maintenance; doesn't require frequent dethatching.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once established. Resistant to many common turf diseases but susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in high humidity. Good salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Used for erosion control on hillsides and slopes. Often used in mixes with Kentucky Bluegrass for added durability and drought resistance.