Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass; highly adaptable to the transition zone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage Grass, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9; excellent transition zone adaptability; remains green longer into the winter than many warm-season grasses
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky 31 (KY-31) and modern turf-type cultivars like 'Rebel' series; known for deep green color and finer texture than older pasture types
About This Grass
Forms dense clumps of coarse-textured, bright to dark green foliage. Unmowed height can reach 2 to 4 feet, while maintained turf is kept much lower. Exhibits good heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, withstanding summer stress better than many other cool-season species
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (4-8mm), flat or slightly rolled in the bud (rolled vernation), pointed tips, prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, smooth lower surface, distinct membranous ligule, and small or absent auricles
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down 2 to 4 feet or more, medium to slow establishment speed, moderate thatch tendency, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots, and good wear recovery via tillering
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, particularly the transition zone and temperate regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) grass, though modern turf-types can produce short, underground rhizomes to form a moderately dense turf
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; requires regular watering for best appearance but survives moderate drought through deep roots; prefers well-drained loamy soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches; medium maintenance level; fertilization of 2 to 4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft annually; occasional aeration and overseeding required to fill in bare spots
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good disease resistance (though susceptible to brown patch in hot, humid weather), excellent drought recovery, moderate salt tolerance, and strong erosion control capabilities
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for pasture and turf; provides good wildlife cover and soil stabilization; can be infected with an endophytic fungus that deters insects and herbivores