Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass (Tolerates transition zone conditions)
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf and Erosion Control grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) - generic multi-cultivar blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; adapts well to the transition zone; excellent heat tolerance for a C3 grass; goes semi-dormant in extreme cold or heat.
About This Grass
A hardy, coarse to medium-textured grass forming dense clumps. It maintains a deep green color and stays green longer into the winter than warm-season grasses. Seed heads are large, open panicles appearing in late spring if unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse to medium width (4-10mm); flat shape with prominent longitudinal veins; pointed leaf tips; rolled in the bud (vernation); distinct short, blunt auricles; short membranous ligule; dark green color.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed; excellent drought tolerance for a cool-season grass due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, especially the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming), though some newer cultivars feature short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but possesses high drought resistance compared to Kentucky Bluegrass; prefers soil pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 3.0-4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization of 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance requirement; requires periodic overseeding due to bunch-type habit.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; high shade tolerance relative to other cool-season grasses; good resistance to many turf diseases including brown patch (with cultivar selection); high salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock in pasture settings; excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on hillsides; often blended with a small percentage of Kentucky Bluegrass.