Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly adapted to the transition zone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage Grass, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, excellent heat and cold tolerance, highly suited for the transition zone.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (KY-31)
About This Grass
Tall Fescue forms a coarse-textured, dense upright bunch-type turf. Unmowed height can reach 2 to 4 feet, while maintained turf is kept around 2 to 3.5 inches. Color is medium to dark green with good wear resistance. Seed heads are open, branching panicles.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium to coarse in width (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins, pointed tips, and rough margins. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a very short membranous band, auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system going down 2 to 3 feet or more, low thatch tendency, fast germination and establishment, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, performing exceptionally well in the transition zone
Growth Habit
Primarily bunch-type with very short, short rhizomes, forming dense upright clumps
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade tolerant. Moderate watering needs once established, excellent drought tolerance due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches. Mowing frequency is weekly during active growth. Fertilization requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good resistance to most common turf diseases and insects, moderate drought recovery, poor winter color retention in northern zones, excellent erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species, valuable for pasture forage and wildlife cover, stabilizes soil effectively, moderate invasive tendencies in native prairies where it can outcompete native vegetation.