Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Kentucky-31 (K-31) and various turf-type tall fescue (TTTF) varieties
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for its type; stays green through late autumn; goes dormant in extreme heat or cold.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. It grows in dense clumps and produces tall, erect seed heads (panicles) if left unmowed. In the provided image, it is seen as the primary green blade interspersed with clover and Queen Anne's Lace.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (4-10mm); flat shape with a pointed tip; dark green color; vernation is rolled in the bud; leaf surface has prominent longitudinal veins; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (rudimentary).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet); low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed; high drought tolerance for a cool-season grass due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, particularly in the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with short, occasional rhizomes that are not aggressive for spreading
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade (highly shade tolerant compared to other cool-season grasses); requires roughly 1 inch of water per week; prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height 3.0 to 4.0 inches; mowing frequency every 5-7 days in peak season; fertilization of 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance; good disease resistance (though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity); moderate salt tolerance; maintains color better than most in drought.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides forage for livestock (though some varieties contain endophytes); excellent for soil stabilization on slopes; often found in mixed landscapes with white clover and wild carrot (Queen Anne's Lace).