Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn, Pasture, and Erosion Control Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a forage-type or 'Kentucky 31' Tall Fescue based on the coarse texture and bunch-type clumping habit visible.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and good cold hardiness.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooting grass that grows in distinct clumps. It features a medium to dark green color and maintains greenness longer than many cool-season grasses during summer heat. If left unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet in height with open panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm width) with a dull upper surface and prominent ribs/veins; the underside is smooth and shiny. The tip is pointed, not boat-shaped. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small and blunt with short hairs (ciliate auricles).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet deep, providing superior drought tolerance. Low thatch tendency due to bunching habit; fast establishment from seed but slow to recover from wear due to lack of spreading stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia; highly adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with very limited short rhizomes; lacks stolons; forms dense, isolated tufts if not overseeded.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (excellent shade tolerance for a cool-season grass). Requires moderate water but can survive extended dry periods by going semi-dormant; prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 3 to 4 inches to encourage deep rooting. Maintenance level is low to medium; requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually, primarily in the fall. Periodic overseeding is necessary to fill in gaps between bunches.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance for foot traffic, high drought resistance, high salt tolerance, and notable resistance to many common turf diseases. It is often used for low-maintenance areas and erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/naturalized in North America. Provides forage for livestock and cover for small mammals. Can be invasive in native prairie ecosystems but serves a vital role in soil stabilization and carbon sequestration in urban landscapes.