Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season perennial, C3 grass, highly well-adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage Grass, and Erosion Control Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky-31 (K-31) or similar turf-type cultivars; known for deep green color, hardiness, and broad adaptability
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9; excellent tolerance to both summer heat and winter cold, making it a staple of the transition zone
About This Grass
Forms upright clumps with medium-to-coarse texture and a rich medium-green color. Height ranges from 2 to 4 inches when maintained as a lawn, but can grow up to 2-3 feet if unmowed. Produces open, branched panicle seed heads at maturity
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-to-coarse in width (4-8mm), flat with prominent raised veins on the upper surface, glossy underneath, and have pointed tips. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Features a short membranous ligule, small or absent auricles, and a broad collar region
Root System
Deep, robust fibrous root system that can reach depths of 2 to 4 feet, providing exceptional drought tolerance, moderate establishment speed, and minimal thatch-forming tendencies
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe; widely introduced and naturalized across North America, performing exceptionally well in the transition zone and cooler regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass that can form a slightly clumped or somewhat uniform turf stand over time with adequate density, lacking aggressive rhizomes or stolons
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to moderate shade. Requires moderate moisture once established, highly drought-tolerant due to deep roots, and prefers well-drained loamy to clay soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches. Requires moderate maintenance, needing fertilization of 2 to 4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft annually, occasional aeration, and overseeding in thin areas
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good disease resistance, moderate shade and salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery, and good erosion control due to its deep root structure
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for pasture and turf; provides valuable wildlife cover and soil stabilization, highly effective at reducing runoff, and commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass