Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (KY-31) or modern turf-type cultivars like 'Rebel' or 'Biltmore'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, excellent heat and cold tolerance, well-suited for the transition zone.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, medium-to-coarse textured turf with a vibrant medium-to-dark green color. Unmowed height reaches 2 to 4 feet with open, panicle seed heads. Well-maintained turf creates an upright, clean appearance.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, rolled in the bud (vernation), short membranous ligule, and small or absent auricles.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system going down 2 to 3 feet or more, providing exceptional drought tolerance, moderate establishment speed, and low thatch-forming tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, especially in the transition zone and upper South
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass with very short rhizomes, forming dense clumps and a uniform turf when seeded heavily
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to moderate shade; moderate water needs once established, highly drought-tolerant due to deep roots; prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 3.5 inches, regular mowing frequency, low-to-medium maintenance level, requires 2 to 4 lbs of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually.
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good disease resistance against common patch diseases, moderate shade tolerance, exceptional drought recovery, and good erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species, provides excellent soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes, utilized for pasture forage and wildlife cover, often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.