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Lolium arundinaceum

tall fescue

Poaceae

Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia

Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Lolium arundinaceum is a coarse, deep-rooted, clump-forming cool-season perennial grass, also known under the names Festuca arundinacea and Schedonorus arundinaceus. Tufts of dark green, ribbed, rough-edged leaf blades reach 12-18 inches (30-45 cm), while flowering stems rise to about 4 feet (120 cm) in early summer, carrying open, nodding seed panicles. The plant forms dense bunches rather than spreading runners, with deep roots that draw water and let it withstand heat and drought once established. It grows across a wide range of soils, including heavy clay, and tolerates traffic, mowing, and varied pH, which is why it is widely sown for turf, pasture, and erosion control. A common limitation is its coarse texture compared with narrow-bladed lawn grasses, and stands infected with a natural fungal endophyte can cause illness in grazing horses and cattle. Foliage stays green through mild winters and resumes growth early in spring. Left unmown it can self-seed and spread into nearby ground.

Native Range

Lolium arundinaceum is native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, where it grows in damp meadows, grassland, and along ditches and shores. It has been introduced worldwide as a pasture and turf grass and is naturalized across much of North America.

Suggested Uses

Sown for hard-wearing lawns, playing fields, pasture, and slope stabilization where a tough, drought-tolerant grass is wanted. It also serves in low-input meadow and roadside mixes. Its coarse texture makes it less suited to ornamental lawns valued for a smooth, even surface.

How to Identify

Identified by coarse, dark green, strongly ribbed leaf blades with rough margins and a bunching, non-running habit. In early summer it sends up open, nodding seed panicles on stems to about 4 feet (120 cm). The leaf bases have short claw-like auricles. Its coarse blades and clumping form distinguish it from the narrower, spreading lawn grasses.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 4'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Open, nodding flower panicles appear from May to July on tall stems above the foliage. The greenish spikelets are wind-pollinated and ripen to straw-colored seed. Flowering is followed by seed set in mid to late summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Greenish to straw

Foliage Description

Deep green, coarse

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam sand

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Lolium arundinaceum grows in full sun to light shade on almost any soil, including heavy clay and compacted ground. Once established its deep roots make it drought- and heat-tolerant, and it withstands mowing, foot traffic, and a wide pH range. It is hardy across USDA zones 4 to 9 and stays green through mild winters. For turf it is mown regularly; for meadow or pasture use it is cut or grazed periodically. It needs little feeding on average soils, though turf stands respond to spring fertilizer. Overseeding helps keep bunch-type stands dense.

Pruning

Mow or cut as needed through the growing season to control height and keep growth dense. Cutting back old foliage in late winter clears the way for fresh spring growth. Removing seed heads before they ripen limits unwanted self-seeding.