Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf and Pasture Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 or similar forage-type hybrid
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; has excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass but may suffer in extreme cold without snow cover. Stays green for much of the winter in the Transition Zone.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that forms dense clumps. It is characterized by a dark green color and a vertical growth habit. In the image, it appears significantly under-maintained, infested with Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and showing signs of drought stress (browning).
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (4-8mm) with a pointed tip and prominent longitudinal veins on the upper surface. The underside is typically smooth and shiny. It features a rolled vernation, a short membranous ligule, and small, rounded, sometimes slightly hairy auricles.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet), which provides superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. It has a very low thatch tendency and establishes moderately fast from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across the United States, particularly in the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons, leading to a patchy appearance if damaged.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (requires at least 4-6 hours of sunlight). Requires moderate watering but can withstand prolonged dry spells by going into a semi-dormant state. Prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height is 3 to 4 inches to maintain root depth. Low to medium maintenance level; requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Needs periodic overseeding as it does not spread to fill bare spots.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance and excellent drought resistance. Moderately shade tolerant compared to Kentucky Bluegrass. Highly susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in hot, humid weather.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America. Provides forage for livestock but can contain an endophytic fungus toxic to some animals. Effective for erosion control on slopes due to deep roots. Often found in mixed stands with Bluegrass or Clover.