Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly adaptable to the transition zone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, excellent heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, surviving freezing winters and hot summers
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (KY-31), known for its durability, toughness, and broad adaptability
About This Grass
Forms upright, coarse-textured clumps with medium to dark green leaves, growing 2 to 4 feet tall if left unmowed, maintaining a bright green color through much of the year
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades, 4-8mm wide, flat with pointed tips, prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, rolled in the bud (vernation), with a short membranous ligule and small or absent auricles
Root System
Deep fibrous root system reaching up to 2-3 feet or more, providing excellent drought tolerance and moderate establishment speed
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, particularly in the transition zone and cool-temperate regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass that can form a moderately dense sward when overseeded or grown close together
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade, requiring moderate watering once established with superior drought resistance compared to other cool-season grasses
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches height, medium maintenance level, requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, benefits from occasional overseeding
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance, good disease resistance, moderate shade tolerance, excellent for home lawns, sports fields, and erosion control on slopes
Ecological Information
Introduced species with high wildlife and pasture value, provides excellent soil stabilization and erosion control, frequently used in mixes with Kentucky bluegrass