Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass, Erosion Control, and Lawn/Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Forage-type Tall Fescue (e.g., 'Kentucky 31' or similar pasture variety)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; highly successful in the 'Transition Zone' where summers are too hot for bluegrass and winters too cold for bermuda.
About This Grass
A robust, coarse-textured grass growing in upright clumps. It typically reaches 2-4 feet when unmowed. The color is usually a medium to dark olive green. It stays green longer into the summer than many other cool-season grasses due to deep rooting. The seed head is a branched panicle, 4-12 inches long.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse blades (5-10mm wide), flat, with a prominent midrib and distinct longitudinal 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, blunt, and typically have short hairs (ciliate) on the margins.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), which provides excellent drought tolerance and soil stabilization. It has a low thatch-forming tendency and moderate establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, particularly in the transition zone and temperate regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; forms thick, dense clumps but does not spread aggressively like sod-forming grasses.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has the best shade tolerance among cool-season forage grasses. Requires moderate watering but can withstand prolonged dry periods by going dormant. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
For pastures, maintained at 3-6 inches; for lawns, 3-4 inches. Low to medium maintenance. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually for optimal growth. Avoid low mowing which can damage the crown of the bunch.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance due to tough, fibrous leaves. Excellent drought resistance and moderate salt tolerance. Known for 'Endophyte' presence which provides resistance to many insects and diseases but can cause 'fescue toxicosis' in livestock if not managed.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides excellent soil stabilization on slopes and filtration for runoff. Offers nesting cover for birds but can become invasive in native prairies if not controlled. Often planted with clover or orchardgrass in pastures.