Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a forage-type or older 'Kentucky 31' tall fescue, characterized by wider blades and a more prominent clump-forming habit compared to dwarf turf-type varieties.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; highly successful in the Transition Zone due to heat tolerance and winter hardiness.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that forms dense clumps. It maintains a dark green color under moderate stress and remains green longer into the winter than warm-season grasses. Without mowing, it can reach 2-4 feet in height with open panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (5-10mm wide) with prominent longitudinal veins on the upper surface. Tips are pointed (not boat-shaped). Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but typically have short hairs (ciliate). Margins are rough to the touch.
Root System
Notably deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet), providing superior drought tolerance for a cool-season grass. It does not produce a heavy thatch layer and has a moderate establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, specifically in the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); establishes via seed and tillering; lacks significant rhizomes or stolons, leading to a patchy appearance if not densely seeded.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has the best shade tolerance among cool-season grasses. Needs 4-6 hours of sun. Requires regular moisture but can survive extended dry periods by going semi-dormant. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.0).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 3 to 4 inches. Frequency should follow the one-third rule. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding to fill in thinned clumps.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once established; excellent heat and drought tolerance for its type. Susceptible to Brown Patch disease in hot, humid summers. Good salt and shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides forage for livestock and erosion control on slopes. Can be invasive in native prairie ecosystems; often carries an endophytic fungus that provides insect resistance but can be toxic to certain livestock if not managed.