Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety unknown but exhibits darker green color and finer texture than 'Kentucky-31' forage variety.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly tolerant of the heat and humidity of the Transition Zone; stays green through much of winter in moderate climates.
About This Grass
A dense, upright-growing grass with a coarse to medium texture. It maintains a deep green color in cool weather but can show drought stress or dormancy in high heat. Seed heads are large panicles with 4-7 branches, though rarely seen in maintained lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 3-6mm; pointed tips; prominent parallel veins (ribbed) on upper surface; smooth lower surface; vernation is rolled in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (rudimentary).
Root System
Exceptionally deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep); moderate establishment speed; low thatch-forming tendency compared to bluegrass; excellent heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized throughout North America, particularly in the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons; spreads primarily through tillering and increased clump size.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; prefers 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but possesses high drought avoidance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; mowing frequency weekly; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; requires annual core aeration and periodic overseeding to fill in bare spots due to bunch-forming habit.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance once established; high resistance to heat and drought; moderate shade tolerance; susceptible to Brown Patch disease during hot/humid periods; good salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides soil stabilization for slopes; low wildlife food value but provides cover; can become invasive in native meadows; often mixed with 5-10% Kentucky Bluegrass for better sod knitting.