Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial, C3 pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a forage-type or 'K-31' variety given the coarse texture and broad blades
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly tolerant of heat compared to other cool-season grasses; remains green in winter unless temperatures are extreme.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted bunchgrass. It appears dark green in active growth, forming distinct clumps in sparse areas. If left unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet; maintained turf stays at 2-4 inches. Seed heads are branched panicles.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm); flat shape with a prominent midrib and distinct parallel veins on the upper surface; pointed tips; rolled vernation in the bud; leaf margins are rough/serrated; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet); very little thatch; relatively slow to fill in bare spots due to bunch habit; high wear recovery once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone in North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (moderate shade tolerance); requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs; excellent drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; mowing frequency 1x per week; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen/1000 sq ft/year; low dethatching needs; high maintenance for turf density requiring annual overseeding.
Special Characteristics
High traffic tolerance; good disease resistance; excellent for erosion control on slopes; salt sensitive; becomes clumpy if the stand is thinned.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock though some types contain endophytes; provides cover for small mammals; non-invasive in most managed landscapes.