Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a forage-type or older 'Kentucky 31' variant based on wide blade width and distinct bunching habit.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; adapts well to the Transition Zone due to heat tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that forms dense clumps. It maintains a medium-to-dark green color. Unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet; maintained as turf, it is dense but does not form a true sod mat.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (4-10mm wide), flat, with prominent veins on the upper surface. Tips are pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Noticeable rough edges on the margins; auricles are small and hairless.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (reaching 2-3 feet), allowing for excellent drought resistance. Low thatch tendency; slow recovery from heavy wear due to bunching habit.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, specifically the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons; spreads via tillering.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers at least 4-6 hours of sun. Requires moderate watering but is the most drought-tolerant cool-season grass due to root depth.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches. Medium maintenance. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft annually. Requires periodic overseeding to fill in bare spots.
Special Characteristics
High heat tolerance for a C3 grass; good disease resistance to Dollar Spot but susceptible to Brown Patch. Excellent for high-traffic areas if density is maintained.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides forage for livestock and nesting cover for birds; can be invasive in native prairie restoration sites.