Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky-31 (K-31) or similar forage-type variety
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 7; highly successful in the 'Transition Zone' where other grasses struggle with heat-cold swings.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that grows in distinct clumps. It maintains a dark green color during cool months but can go dormant in extreme heat. When unmowed, it produces tall flower stalks up to 4 feet high with branched panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), longitudinal ribs on the upper leaf surface, dull underside, and a sharply pointed tip. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short and blunt).
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet), allowing for superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. It does not form a dense sod/thatch layer easily due to its bunch-type growth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and Australia
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping). Spreads primarily via tillering; lacks significant rhizomes or stolons.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours direct sun minimum). Moderate water needs; highly drought-resistant once established. Prefers well-drained soils with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Medium maintenance. Requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Does not require frequent dethatching but needs periodic aeration and overseeding to fill in bare spots.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance for foot traffic, high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, and moderate shade tolerance. Resistant to many common turf diseases but susceptible to Brown Patch in humid summers.
Ecological Information
Introduced in the US. Used for soil stabilization on slopes and forage for livestock (though some cultivars contain endophytes that can affect animal health). Can be invasive in native prairie restoration areas.