Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
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 characteristic narrower blades than forage-type fescue.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; performs best in the Transition Zone where it tolerates heat better than Bluegrass and cold better than Bermuda.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass known for its dark green color and durability. It forms a dense turf when seeded heavily, growing in upright clumps. Unlike many cool-season grasses, it remains green during mild summers.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (4-10mm); flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Color is typically a medium to dark green. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The upper surface has prominent, deep veins (ridges), while the underside is smooth and glossy. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent or very small and blunt.
Root System
Deeply fibrous, often reaching depths of 2-3 feet (among the deepest of cool-season grasses). This leads to excellent drought tolerance and moderate recovery speed, though it does not produce significant thatch.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, particularly the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); spreads primarily through tillering. Some modern cultivars possess short rhizomes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers 4-6 hours of sunlight. Moderate water needs but high drought tolerance due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height is 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Mowing frequency is moderate. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft per year. Maintenance level is moderate; requires periodic overseeding because it does not spread via stolons.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance. High heat and drought resistance for a cool-season grass. Good shade tolerance compared to warm-season grasses. Susceptible to Brown Patch disease in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization for slopes and erosion control. Low wildlife food value but provides cover. Often used in blends with Kentucky Bluegrass for better durability.