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 grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a 'K-31' (Kentucky 31) or a generic forage-type based on the wide blade width and coarse texture
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; has high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass but lacks the extreme cold hardiness of bluegrass.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted bunch grass. It maintains a dark green color in cool weather and forms dense clumps. In unmowed states, it can reach 3-4 feet with nodding panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), flat shape with a pointed tip. Notable for prominent longitudinal veins/ridges 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 usually have short hairs on the margins of the collar.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 2-3 feet depth), providing excellent drought resistance. Slow to form thatch and does not produce a true sod, making it difficult to fill in bare spots without overseeding.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to 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, spreading primarily through tillering
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. High drought tolerance once established due to deep roots, though it requires supplemental water during extreme heat.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 3.0-4.0 inches. Recommended frequency is weekly during peak growth. Medium maintenance level requiring 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance; high resistance to heat and drought; moderate shade tolerance; susceptible to Brown Patch disease in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized status; used for soil stabilization on slopes; provides minimal wildlife value compared to native bunchgrasses; can be moderately invasive in native prairie restoration sites.