Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season (C3), Perennial
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage, Turf Grass, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Forage-type (e.g., 'Kentucky 31')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; has high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, making it the primary grass for the Transition Zone.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted perennial grass that grows in large clumps. It has a medium to dark green color and remains green longer into the summer than most cool-season grasses. Seed heads are open panicles 4-12 inches long.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (5-10mm wide), flat, with prominent veins on the upper surface. Tips are pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but typically short and hairy.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), providing excellent drought resistance. Slow to form thatch, but slow to recover from damage due to lack of runners.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, specifically the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited short rhizomes may occur but generally lacks spreading capacity
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (moderate shade tolerance). Requires 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate water needs but high drought tolerance once established due to deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
For lawns: 3.0-4.0 inches. For pastures: 4-6 inches. Requires moderate nitrogen (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft per year). Low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding as clumps die out.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic durability. High resistance to summer patch and humidity-related diseases compared to other fescues. Good salt tolerance and erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides forage for livestock (though some cultivars contain endophytic fungi harmful to certain animals). Used for soil stabilization and filter strips.