Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (K-31) or similar forage-type fescue
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, making it the primary choice for the Transition Zone.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that forms dense clumps. It maintains a dark green color well into the fall. Unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet with open panicle seed heads; maintained as turf, it appears as a thick, vertical-growing stand.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (5-10mm wide) with a prominent midrib and distinct longitudinal veins. The tips are pointed, and the edges are rough to the touch. Vernation is rolled; the ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet deep), giving it superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. It is a weak sod-former with low thatch accumulation.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, particularly the US Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; lacks aggressive spreading ability.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers 6+ hours of sun but is the most shade-tolerant of the common cool-season turf grasses. High drought tolerance once established.
Mowing & Maintenance
High mowing height recommended (3-4 inches) to protect the crown and encourage deep roots. Low to medium maintenance; requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and disease resistance to brown patch (though susceptible in high humidity). Excellent for erosion control on slopes and high-traffic home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; provides forage for livestock and nesting cover for birds, though some cultivars contain endophytes that can be toxic to certain grazing animals if not managed.