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 visible coarse texture and open field growth habit
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; adapts well to heat of the upper South and cold of the North. Moves into semi-dormancy during extreme summer heat.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass forming dense clumps. Growth reaching 2-4 feet if unmowed. Dark green color during peak growth. Seed heads are open panicles, 4-12 inches long, branched and nodding at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), flat shape, pointed tip, dark green with prominent longitudinal veins. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small, blunt, and short-pubescent (hairy) on the margins; collar is broad and continuous.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet depth. Low thatch tendency. Moderate establishment speed. Excellent drought tolerance and high wear recovery due to deep roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America across the Transition Zone and Pacific Northwest
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with short, occasional rhizomes; slow rate of spread and moderate density
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (moderate shade tolerance). Moderate watering needs; highest drought tolerance among cool-season grasses. Performs well in a wide pH range (5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height of 3-4 inches. Medium maintenance. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. Low dethatching needs. Overseeding is required for bunch-type varieties to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic tolerance and wear resistance. Susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity. Good salt tolerance and moderate shade tolerance. High ability to prevent erosion on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America. High value for soil stabilization. Provides cover for small mammals and birds in managed pastures. Can be invasive in native prairie restoration sites; often used in mixtures with Kentucky Bluegrass.