Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a modern dwarf variety
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance; primary grass for the Transition Zone.
About This Grass
A robust, deep-rooted grass forming distinct clumps. Exhibits a dark green color, coarse to medium-fine texture depending on the variety, and high density in established patches. Seed heads are panicles, though rarely seen in maintained lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is coarse (4-10mm); vernation is rolled in the bud; leaf tips are sharply pointed; blades feature prominent longitudinal veins on the upper surface and a dull undersurface. Ligules are short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but typically have short hairs.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); low thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment speed compared to ryegrass; forms a dense sod only when seeded at high rates.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and Australia
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited short-rhizome activity in some modern varieties; lacks aggressive spreading
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun but has moderate shade tolerance; requires 4-6 hours of sun; high drought tolerance due to deep roots; grows best in well-drained soils with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; moderate frequency; fertilization 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft annually; low dethatching needs but benefits from core aeration and annual overseeding to fill gaps.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; excellent drought resistance; susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in humid heat; low salt tolerance; poor self-repairing ability if damaged (requires reseeding).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides soil stabilization for slopes; may become invasive in native meadows; often mixed with 5-10% Kentucky Bluegrass for improved sod knitting.