Cool-season grasses grow well during the cool (60 to 75°F) months of the year. They may undergo stress, become dormant, or be injured during the hot months of summer and may require significantly more water than the warm-season grasses. They are adapted to the upper regions of the state and will not grow along the coast.
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a popular grass in the mountains and upper piedmont areas of South Carolina, which extends as far east as Columbia. Its popularity relates to its ease of establishment through seeding and its green color during the winter months when warm-season turfgrasses are dormant and brown. All of the species adapted to South Carolina can be planted by seed, the most economical method of establishing a lawn. Tall fescue is a perennial bunch-type grass that grows rapidly during spring and fall. Because of this bunch-type growth, spring preemergence herbicides are generally necessary to keep a lawn relatively free of weeds. Tall fescue is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions but grows best on fertile, well-drained soils with a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5. It often needs irrigation to remain attractive during the summer. Established tall fescue lawns tend to thin out and become “clumpy” and may need annual reseeding every fall, especially in areas where it’s poorly adapted.
Kentucky-31 (K-31) is the old, common cultivar or variety of tall fescue. Most of the new and more attractive cultivars are referred to as “turf-type” tall fescues and have a slightly finer leaf blade, lower growth habit, darker green color, and greater density and shade tolerance than K-31. Therefore, if properly managed, these new cultivars provide alternatives to K-31.
The confusion between tall fescue and fine fescue was increased by the introduction of turf-type tall fescues that are frequently promoted as fine-leaved. It is important to know the difference between tall fescue and fine fescue. The tall fescues have wider leaf blades and better tolerance to South Carolina environmental conditions than fine fescues. The fine fescues, such as red fescue, have extremely fine leaves and are suited to low fertility, low maintenance, and shaded situations. However, they generally do not perform as well as tall fescues in South Carolina.
See adaptations and characteristics of cool-season turfgrasses chart below.
Adaptations & Characteristics of Cool-Season Turfgrasses
| Fine Fescue1 | Kentucky Bluegrass1 | Tall Fescue1 | |
| Area Best Adapted | Mountains & Piedmont | Mountains | Mountains & Piedmont |
| Heat Hardiness | G | F – G | G |
| Cold Hardiness | VG | VG | VG |
| Drought Resistance | G | F – G | G |
| Sun Tolerance | P – G | VG | F – G |
| Shade Tolerance² | VG | G | G |
| Salt Tolerance | P | P | F |
| Wear Tolerance | F – G | G | G |
| Establishment Rate³ | Fast | Medium | Fast |
| Rating Key: E=Excellent; VG=Very Good; G=Good; F=Fair; P=Poor; VP=Very Poor¹ Can be seeded.² Turfgrasses need at least four hours of direct sunlight per day.
³ Establishment rate is dictated by planning dates, seeding and planting rate, intensity of culture, and environment. Note: Some improved cultivars are better adapted and more pleasing in appearance than the comparison rating provided for a given lawn grass. |
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Excerpted from the South Carolina Master Gardener Training Manual, EC 678.
Document last updated on 9/24 by Lacy Barnette.
Originally published 03/99
