Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, widely used in the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (KY-31), known for deep roots, durability, and broad adaptability
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7 (and into 8 in transition zones). Excellent cold tolerance and good heat tolerance for a cool-season grass.
About This Grass
Tall Fescue forms a relatively coarse, upright, and clump-forming turf with a rich medium-to-dark green color. Height ranges from 2 to 4 inches when maintained as a lawn, but can grow 2 to 4 feet tall if left unmowed. Texture is medium-coarse, with prominent veins on the upper leaf surface.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium to coarse in width (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins, and have a pointed tip. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a short membrane, and auricles are absent or very blunt.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system extending up to 2 to 3 feet or more in favorable soils, providing exceptional drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Forms moderate sod but has low thatch-forming tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely cultivated throughout the United States, especially in the transition zone and cooler regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass that can form a somewhat dense sward when seeded heavily, though it lacks aggressive spreading rhizomes or stolons
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to moderate shade (better shade tolerance than Kentucky Bluegrass or Bermuda). Requires moderate watering once established, with high drought tolerance due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Moderate maintenance level. Requires 2 to 4 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually. Needs occasional overseeding to repair thinning in bunch-type stands.
Special Characteristics
Good wear tolerance for a cool-season turf, moderate disease resistance (susceptible to brown patch in hot, humid weather), high drought recovery through deep roots, and excellent erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely naturalized. Provides good wildlife cover and grazing value. Excellent for soil stabilization on slopes and around industrial sites like solar installations due to deep root systems and low input requirements.