Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass and Utility Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky-31 (K-31) or similar forage-type Tall Fescue based on coarse leaf texture and distinct bunching
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly adaptable to the Transition Zone. Excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains semi-dormant in extreme winter cold.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass. It grows in dense clumps with an upright habit, reaching 2-4 feet if left unmowed. It maintains a dark green color during cool months and stays green longer into summer than other cool-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Color is medium to dark green with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but often have short hairs on the collar margins.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system reaching 2-3 feet or more. Low thatch tendency due to bunching habit. Fast establishment from seed but slow to recover from physical damage or thinning due to lack of stolons/rhizomes.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, particularly in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); occasionally produces short, weak rhizomes but lacks aggressive spreading capability
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most cool-season grasses). High drought tolerance once established due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches. Mowing frequency moderate. Fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Requires periodic overseeding to fill in thinned bunches. Maintenance level: Medium.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once established, excellent drought resistance, good shade tolerance, and high resistance to most common turf diseases. Often used for erosion control on slopes and heavy-traffic utility areas.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides cover for small mammals and seed for birds. Excellent for soil stabilization. Can be invasive in native prairies. Often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved drought/shade performance.