Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass with high heat tolerance
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage, Low-maintenance Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (K-31) or similar pasture-type cultivar
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; highly adaptable to the Transition Zone; excellent heat and cold tolerance.
About This Grass
Coarse-textured, clump-forming grass with a dark to medium green color. It remains green for much of the winter in mild climates but may go dormant in extreme cold or heat. Unmowed, it reaches 2-4 feet. Seed heads are open panicles with several branches.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm); flat shape with pointed tips; prominent parallel veins (ridges) on the upper surface; margins are rough/serrated to the touch; vernation is rolled in the bud; auricles are small or absent; ligule is short, membranous, and truncate.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet); low thatch-forming tendency compared to spreading grasses; moderate establishment speed; excellent drought tolerance due to depth of roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America and temperate regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); occasionally produces short, weak rhizomes; slow rate of lateral spread
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs but can survive extended dry periods by going dormant; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height of 3-4 inches; low to medium frequency; fertilization of 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; low maintenance; periodic overseeding required because it doesn't spread via stolons.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance for foot traffic; high salt tolerance; moderate shade tolerance; resistant to most common turf diseases except Brown Patch in humid summers.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization on slopes; low wildlife food value but provides cover; can be invasive in native prairie restorations; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for durability.