Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage and Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a forage-type or 'Kentucky 31' based on coarse blade texture and bunch-type habit
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; modest winter dormancy in extreme cold.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that forms dense tufts or clumps. It remains green throughout most of the year in temperate climates. Unmowed, it can reach 2 to 4 feet in height, producing a paniculate seed head.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (5-10mm), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip and prominent longitudinal ribs on the upper surface. Color is dark green to lime green. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but typically hairless.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), giving it superior drought tolerance. Low thatch-forming tendency compared to spreading grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, particularly in the transition zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); strictly bunching but occasionally develops short, weak rhizomes in older plants
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires moderate watering but is one of the most drought-tolerant cool-season grasses; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches for lawns; moderate frequency; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year; maintenance level is medium.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic durability; resistant to most summer diseases like brown patch if managed well; high drought recovery; used extensively in parks and home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in native prairie restorations; often contains endophytes that provide insect resistance.