Festuca arundinacea 'Kentucky 31'
Common Name: tall fescue
Type: Turfgrass
Family: Poaceae
Zone: 3 to 6
Garden Location: Ameren Ground Cover Border
Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Spread: 0.25 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Description: Green
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Tolerates: Drought
Uses: Groundcover, Erosion Control

Culture

'Kentucky 31' tall fescue grows well in cool climates of the U.S. and notably in zones 3 to 6. It is considered a medium maintenance turfgrass and requires 1 to 3 lbs. of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. each year and infrequent watering. Recommended mowing height is 2 to 4" and it's seeding rate is 7 to 10 lbs. per 1,000 ft. 'Kentucky 31' tall fescue is a good grass for full sun and part shade.

Noteworthy Characteristics

'Kentucky 31' tall fescue is a coarse textured grass tolerant to a wide variation in environmental conditions. It has a bunch-type growth habit that causes it to appear clumped and upright. It does not spread rapidly because of it's lack of underground stolons or rhizomes. Therefore, re-seeding is a common practice to repair damaged areas and thin spots. Tall fescue does best where there are mild winters and warm summers. An extensive, deep root system makes tall fescue a good choice for drought-prone sites. The cultivar 'Kentucky 31' is medium green with coarse-textured blades. It is widely adapted to different soil types and is fairly drought tolerant.

Problems

Moderately disease resistant. Susceptible to leaf spot diseases. Good heat and drought tolerance as well as shade tolerance. Must be overseeded to correct for damaged spots. Good winter recovery and green-up in spring.

Garden Uses

Turfgrass.