Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, Pasture, and Forage Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Kentucky 31' or a common forage type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly heat tolerant for a cool-season grass; remains green in winter in transition zones.
About This Grass
Strongly tufted perennial grass forming large, coarse clumps. Reaches 2-4 feet when unmowed. Color is typically medium to dark green. Texture is coarse with a clumping density that leaves bare spots if not overseeded.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades, 5-10mm wide; flat surface with prominent veins on top; tips are sharply pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or minute and usually have hairs on the margins. High gloss on the underside of the leaf.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system capable of reaching 2-3 feet deep. Low thatch tendency; moderate to slow establishment speed from seed; excellent wear recovery due to crown toughness.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean; widely naturalized in North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very short rhizomes may be present but it does not spread laterally significantly.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of sun). High drought tolerance for a cool-season grass due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 3.0-4.0 inches. Frequency is moderate. Requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year. Low to medium maintenance; requires annual overseeding to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
High wear and traffic tolerance; excellent drought resistance; susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia solani) in high humidity; moderate shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in some native prairie contexts; excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control; often contains endophytes that deter insect herbivory but can be toxic to livestock if not managed; compatible with clover as seen in the image.