Tall Fescue (Dominant background grass)
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 carbon fixation
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage and Utility Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky-31 (Common forage/utility variety)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for its class; remains green in winter in transition zones; goes dormant in extreme cold or prolonged drought.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted perennial grass forming distinct large clumps. Stems are erect and can reach 3-4 feet if left unmowed. Color is generally a medium to dark green with a dull finish on the top of the leaf and a shiny underside.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (5-10mm); rolled vernation in the bud; leaf tips are sharply pointed (not boat-shaped); upper surface has distinct longitudinal ridges; margins are rough/serrated to the touch; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small and hairy.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system reaching 2-3 feet in depth; low thatch-forming tendency; slow to establish from seed compared to ryegrass but very durable once mature.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); occasionally produces short rhizomes but lacks aggressive spreading stems
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires 4-6 hours of light; high drought tolerance for a cool-season grass due to root depth; prefers well-drained soils but tolerates heavy clay.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 3.0-4.0 inches in pastures/lawns; frequency: weekly during peak spring/fall growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; maintenance level: Low to Medium.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear/traffic tolerance; resistant to many turf diseases but susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia); high salt tolerance; superior drought recovery compared to Kentucky Bluegrass.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; high forage value for livestock but may contain endophytes toxic to some animals; often found with companion legumes like the White Sweetclover (Melilotus albus) seen in the foreground.