Tall Fescue (Coarse-leaf/Bunch-type)
Festuca arundinacea (Syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf and Pasture Grass (often considered a weed in fine-leaf lawns)
Variety / Cultivar
Common or K-31 (Kentucky 31) type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, staying green longer in transition zone summers.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, upright grass forming dense clumps. It features a lime-green to medium-green color. It stands out in lawns due to a faster growth rate than Kentucky Bluegrass/Fine Fescue and a habit of growing in isolated circular bunches.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), flat shape with prominent parallel longitudinal veins on the upper surface. Blade edges are serrated/rough. Vernation is rolled in the bud, pointed leaf tips, and short membranous ligules. Auricles are absent or very small and blunt.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), giving it excellent drought tolerance. It does not form a thick thatch layer and has a slow recovery rate if the clump is damaged.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America Transition Zones
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (moderate shade tolerance). High drought tolerance once established due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommeded height 3.0-4.0 inches. Requires medium maintenance; fertilization at 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Does not require frequent dethatching due to bunch habit.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance and traffic resistance. Notable for heat and drought resistance compared to other cool-season grasses. Susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in humid conditions.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; useful for soil stabilization on slopes and banks. Provides forage for livestock, though some varieties contain endophytes. Can be invasive in native prairie restorations.