Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Typical of 'Kentucky-31' or early forage types due to wide blades and bunch-type habit
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, making it the primary choice for the Transition Zone.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that grows in distinct clumps. It maintains a dark green color longer into the summer than many cool-season grasses and remains active until significant frost. It does not form a tight, creeping sod, often resulting in a patchy appearance if thin.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (5-10mm), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Color is dark green with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface and a duller underside. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but may have short hairs.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often extending 2-3 feet), very low thatch tendency, slow to moderate establishment speed. The deep roots provide superior drought tolerance compared to Bluegrass.
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) with occasional short rhizomes; lacks extensive spreading capability
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers 6+ hours of sun but is the most shade-tolerant of the common cool-season turf grasses. High drought tolerance once established; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height of 3.0 to 4.0 inches to maintain root depth. Low to medium maintenance; requires 2-4 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually. Does not require frequent dethatching due to bunching habit.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance, excellent drought resistance, good resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot. Poor ability to fill in bare spots on its own, necessitating periodic overseeding.
Ecological Information
Introduced/invasive in some native prairie contexts. Provides soil stabilization on slopes. Often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass (90% Fescue / 10% Bluegrass) to provide better spreading capability and disease resistance.