Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety unknown but exhibiting improved dense growth characteristics
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green through mild winters; dormant in extreme cold or extreme drought.
About This Grass
A dense, bunching grass with a deep green color. Height un-mowed reaches 2-4 feet; maintained at 3-4 inches. Texture is medium to coarse with visible vertical ribbing. Produces a tall panicle seed head if not mowed.
Blade Characteristics
Width: 5-10mm (medium to coarse); Shape: Flat; Tip: Pointed; Color: Dark green; Vernation: Rolled in the bud; Ligule: Short, membranous; Auricles: Small or absent, often with fine hairs; prominent veins on the upper surface.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet); low to moderate thatch tendency; moderately fast establishment from seed; excellent wear recovery once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone and temperate regions of North America
Growth Habit
Primarily Bunch-type (clump-forming); modern turf varieties may possess short, indeterminate rhizomes for slow spreading and recovery
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of sun); moderate water needs but possesses the best drought tolerance of cool-season grasses due to deep roots; pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 3.0-4.0 inches (mow high for health); Frequency: Weekly during peak growth; Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; Low to Medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding because it does not spread via stolons.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance; good shade tolerance compared to other lawn grasses; high resistance to heat stress; susceptible to Brown Patch disease in humid conditions; good salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides excellent soil stabilization in erosion-prone areas; low wildlife value in turf form but used as forage in pastures; often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for better recovery.