Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky-31 (K-31) and similar forage-type Tall Fescues
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and very cold hardy; remains semi-evergreen in many transition zone winters.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass forming dense clumps. It maintains a medium to dark green color in cool weather and stays green longer into drought than other cool-season grasses. Seed heads are open panicles on tall stalks reaching 2-4 feet if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (5-10mm), flat shape with a pointed tip. Notable for prominent longitudinal veins/ribs on the upper surface and a dull underside. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but often have short hairs on the collar.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet), low thatch tendency. Excellent establishment speed from seed. Deep roots provide superior drought tolerance for a cool-season grass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with rare short rhizomes; tiller-based spread resulting in a moderately dense canopy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade (highly shade tolerant compared to other species); requires 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate water needs, prefers well-drained soils with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
High mowing height recommended (3.0 to 4.0 inches) to maintain root depth. Low to medium maintenance; requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually, primarily in fall.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic recovery once established. High resistance to many common turf diseases. Exceptional drought resistance and ability to stabilize soil on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Widely used for livestock forage and roadside stabilization. Often paired with Kentucky Bluegrass in turf mixes to improve shade and drought resilience.