Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial, C3 pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
K-31 or similar coarse forage-type variety
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green through mild winters.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass forming dense clumps. It is dark green in color and typically stands 2 to 4 feet tall if left unmowed. In lawns, it creates a rugged, vertical growth pattern.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades >4mm wide, flat surface with prominent longitudinal veins/ridges on top and a smooth, glossy underside. Tips are sharply pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. No auricles; ligule is short and membranous.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending 2-3 feet deep. Low thatch production and very fast establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); very limited rhizome development in modern turf-types
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun. High drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5-4.0 inches. Medium maintenance; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Does not require frequent dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance for foot traffic; highly resistant to summer patch and dollar spot; moderate shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides excellent soil stabilization for slopes. Often contains endophytic fungi that provide resistance to sod webworms and chinch bugs.