Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season; Perennial; C3 grass; highly adaptable transition zone grass
Grass Family
Poaceae; subfamily Pooideae; tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass; Pasture/Forage; Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky-31 (K-31) or similar early-generation forage/turf fescue
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7 (best in Transition Zone); high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold hardiness; semi-dormant in extreme heat.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass forming distinct, dense clumps. It maintains a dark green color longer than many grasses during drought but appears as isolated green islands when surrounding finer grasses go dormant or die back.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm); flat shape with a pointed tip; dark green color; rolled vernation in the bud; prominent ridges on the upper surface with a shiny underside; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small and often have tiny hairs.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending 2-3 feet or more in porous soil; very low thatch tendency; slow recovery from wear due to bunch-forming nature; forms a dense sod only if seeded heavily.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, particularly in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks rhizomes or stolons, leading to the patchy appearance visible in the image
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours minimum); moderate to high water needs for green appearance, but excellent drought survival via deep roots; prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; mowing frequency should be weekly; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance; requires regular overseeding to fill in bare spots.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance once established; high resistance to heat and drought; susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity; poor ability to spread naturally to fill bare patches.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; useful for soil stabilization on slopes; provides some cover for small wildlife; often contains endophytes (beneficial fungi) that deter insect pests; can be invasive in native prairie settings.