Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage, Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a forage-type or 'Kentucky 31' based on coarse texture and bunching habit
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and very cold hardy.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass forming dense clumps. It features upright growth, a dark green at maturity, and reaches 2-4 feet if left unmowed. Seed heads are open panicles.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, and a glossy underside. Vernation is rolled; auricles are small or absent but usually have short hairs.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet deep. Very low thatch tendency. Excellent stability but slow to fill in gaps once damaged.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires moderate water but has superior drought tolerance among cool-season grasses due to deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3-4 inches for turf; low to medium maintenance. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, primarily in fall.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance for foot traffic, good shade tolerance compared to bermuda, high salt tolerance, and high resistance to most turf diseases except brown patch.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization on slopes/banks. Can be invasive in native prairies but provides excellent forage for livestock.