Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture, Utility Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (K-31) or a forage-type variety
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; has high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and stays green through most of the winter in transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass forming vertical clumps. It typically reaches 2-4 feet if left unmowed, exhibiting a medium to dark green color. Seed heads are open panicles with 3-5 branches, appearing in late spring to early summer.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (5-10mm), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Blades feature prominent equidistant veins on the upper surface and a dull underside. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short-ciliate if present).
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending 2-3 feet or more. This depth provides excellent drought tolerance and stability, though it creates minimal thatch and does not form a self-repairing sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America across the transition zone and temperate regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons, leading to a patchy appearance if not seeded densely
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (moderate shade tolerance). Moderate water needs; highly drought-resistant due to root depth. Prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches for turf; higher for pasture. Low to medium maintenance; requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Does not require frequent dethatching but needs periodic overseeding to fill gaps.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance for foot traffic, high salt tolerance, and high drought resistance. Susceptible to brown patch disease in hot, humid conditions. Notable for erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides high forage value for livestock but can be endophyte-infected, which affects wildlife. Excellent for soil stabilization and slowing runoff. Often found with clover and plantain in low-maintenance areas.