Turfgrass species: Tour: Common and Scientific name:
Tall fescue - Festuca arundinacea Schreb.
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Plant characteristics
| Growth Habit | bunch; occasionally with short rhizomes |
| Texture | medium to coarse |
| Density | new varieties have moderate to moderately high density at high seeding rates |
| Color | medium to dark green |
Useful identifying Characteristics
| auricles, small hairs, rolled, purple base, ribbed blade, rough leaf margin |
Uses
| Roadside, athletic fields, home lawns in the transition zone, now being
used in more areas; good drought tolerance; select "turf-type" tall fescues for lawn or athletic applications. |
Other Characteristics
| Varieties | - |
| Seeding Rate | 6 to 9 lb per 1000 sq.ft. generally avoid mixing with other species. |
Reproduction
| Life cycle | perennial |
| Propagation | seed |
| Seeds/lb | 250,000 |
Adaptation
| Sun/shade | sun, partial shade |
| Soil | all, wider range than Kentucky bluegrass |
| Moisture | tolerates drier conditions than Kentucky bluegrass; may need irrigation during establishment for best stand |
| Mowing height | 2 1/2" to 3" |
| Fertility | medium, will tolerate low fertility, 2 to 4 lb N/1000 sq.ft./year |
Special Problems
| Brown patch at high nitrogen fertility levels; may thin out over time in cool regions. |