Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass (Tolerant of transition zones)
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf and Pasture Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (Common Type/Forage type or Early Turf type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 7 (Transition Zone staple). High heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; cold hardy but may turn brown during severe winter freezes.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with an upright, tufted growth habit. When unmowed, it reaches 2-4 feet. It maintains a medium-to-dark green color, though this specific image shows a lighter, yellowish-green likely due to lack of nitrogen or early spring growth. It does not form a tight creeping mat and can appear patchy if the stand is thin.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), prominent veins on the upper surface, and rough (serrated) edges. The tips are pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. It typically lacks auricles (or has very short, blunt ones) and has a short, membranous ligule.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending 2-3 feet deep, providing excellent drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. It is a slow-to-moderate establisher from seed and has low thatch-forming tendencies.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted throughout the US Transition Zone and Pacific Northwest
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited rhizome development in some modern cultivars, but primarily spreads by tillering
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate watering needs; possesses high drought resistance but requires supplementary water in peak heat to avoid dormancy. Prefers soil pH 5.5 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height: 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Lower mowing stresses the bunch-type habit. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. Low-to-medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding because it does not spread laterally to fill bare spots.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance once established; high disease resistance to most pests, though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity. Superior shade tolerance compared to Kentucky Bluegrass or Bermuda.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Used for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes due to deep roots. Provides modest forage value for livestock but can contain endophytes (fungus) that may be toxic to some grazing animals if not managed.