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, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9; excellent heat and cold tolerance; thrives particularly well in the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (KY-31), widely used for its durability and adaptability
About This Grass
Forms coarse-textured, upright clumps with a medium-light to dark green color; unmaintained height can reach 2 to 4 feet; produces open panicle seed heads in late spring
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (4-8mm wide), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, rolled in the bud (vernation), with a membranous ligule and small or absent auricles
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system going down several feet, providing exceptional drought tolerance and stability, with moderate establishment speed
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, especially in the transition zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass that can form a somewhat coarse sod over time via very short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires moderate watering once established; exhibits good drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH 5.5-7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches; moderate maintenance level; requires regular mowing and fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); infrequent dethatching needed due to bunch-type habit
Special Characteristics
High wear and traffic tolerance, good disease resistance, moderate shade tolerance, excellent drought recovery, and strong erosion control capabilities
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides good pasture forage and wildlife cover; deep roots help with soil stabilization and water filtration; can act as a weed suppressor when dense