Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 carbon fixation
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture/Forage, 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 its class but prone to dormancy in extreme summer heat or deep winter.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted bunch grass. It maintains a dark green color under moderate stress. When unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet; maintained turf usually stays at 3-4 inches. The seed head is a branched panicle, though rarely seen in managed lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (5-10mm), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Color is typically medium to dark green. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The upper surface has prominent, equidistant ridges; the underside is smooth and shiny. Ligule is short, membranous, and truncate; auricles are small or absent but often show short hairs (ciliate).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet in depth. Low thatch tendency; slow establishment from seed compared to ryegrass but faster than bluegrass. Excellent drought tolerance once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; lacks extensive spreading capability
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours minimum). Moderate water needs; high drought tolerance for a cool-season grass. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 3.0-4.0 inches; frequency weekly during growth peaks. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding because it does not spread via stolons.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance and excellent shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Highly resistant to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) depending on cultivar; susceptible to Gray Leaf Spot. Excellent for soil stabilization on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides forage for livestock and nesting cover for ground birds when left in pasture state. Often contains beneficial endophytes that deter insect pests but may be harmful to some grazing animals in specific forage contexts.