Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial (C3)
Grass Family
Poaceae, Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf and Pasture grass
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (K-31) or similar forage-type fescue
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly popular in the Transition Zone due to heat and cold tolerance.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that forms dense individual clumps. It maintains a medium-to-dark green color throughout the year in moderate climates but may go dormant in extreme heat or cold. Unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet with open panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (5-10mm wide) with a deep green color. Blades are flat, strongly ribbed (veined) on the upper surface, with a pointed tip and rough (serrated) edges. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small, blunt, and slightly hairy.
Root System
Exceptionally deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), giving it superior drought tolerance. Very low thatch tendency. Establishment speed is moderate (slower than ryegrass, faster than bluegrass).
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in the Transition Zone of the US
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping) with occasional short rhizomes; lacks extensive spreading ability
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of sun). High drought tolerance once established, though it requires regular deep watering during summer heat to prevent dormancy. Prefers soil pH of 5.5 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height: 3.0-4.0 inches (mow high to protect the crown and encourage deep roots). Low to medium fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Low maintenance requirements relative to other turfgrasses.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic resistance. Good shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Susceptible to Brown Patch disease in humid summer conditions. Poor recovery from bare spots due to bunch-growth habit.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Used for erosion control on slopes and as livestock forage. Provides cover for small mammals; often contains endophytes (beneficial fungi) that improve stress resistance but can be toxic to some grazing livestock if not managed.