Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass and Utility Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky-31 (K-31) or similar forage-type Tall Fescue based on coarse texture and light green color
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green through mild winters; stays active until heavy frost.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass with a robust, vertical growth habit. Displays a medium to light green color. When unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet; maintained turf usually stays 3-4 inches. Seed heads are open panicles produced in late spring.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Color is typically emerald to light green. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Leaves feature prominent veins on the upper surface and a dull underside with a clear midrib. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but often feature short hairs.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep). Low thatch tendency. Slow to moderate establishment speed; does not form a dense sod because of its bunching habit.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, particularly in the transition zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons; spreads mainly via tillering
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred but moderately shade tolerant. High drought tolerance due to deep roots. Requires infrequent but deep watering. Prefers well-drained soils with pH 5.5 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 3 to 4 inches. Requires 2.5-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year. Low to medium maintenance; does not require frequent dethatching but needs periodic overseeding to fill in thinned bunches.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear and traffic tolerance once established. Highly resistant to many common turf diseases. Notable for drought recovery and soil stabilization on slopes. Fairly salt tolerant.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. High value for erosion control and livestock forage. Contains endophytes that provide resistance to insects but can be toxic to some livestock if not managed. Often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved density.