Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that tolerates some shade. It is planted from seed or sod and mowed between 2-4 inches height. Tall fescue has moderate drought tolerance and needs moderate fertilizer. Kentucky 31 is an old standard tall fescue variety while newer varieties like Durana and Penn 1901 are used in blends. Tall fescue grows in bunches and does not spread as quickly as creeping grasses. The transition zone is an area where neither warm-season nor cool-season grasses thrive year-round.