Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass. Commonly used in the transition zone.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
'Rebel', 'Titan', or other turf-type tall fescue cultivars known for darker green color and finer texture than old-type Kentucky 31.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. Excellent transition zone adaptability, tolerating both summer heat and winter cold.
About This Grass
Forms upright, dense clumps with a medium-coarse texture. Unmowed height can reach 2 to 4 feet, while maintained turf is kept at 2 to 3 inches. Color is medium to dark green, maintaining green color longer into hot summers and cold winters than many other cool-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium to coarse in width (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface and a shiny underside. Tips are sharply pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a very short, membranous collar with tiny or absent auricles.
Root System
Deeply penetrating fibrous root system, often reaching 2 to 3 feet deep, allowing for exceptional drought tolerance. Low-to-moderate thatch-forming tendency. Establishes relatively quickly from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia. Widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, especially in the transition zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) grass with very short, stubby rhizomes occasionally present, forming a dense turf primarily through tillering.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun but has better shade tolerance than most other cool-season grasses. Moderate water needs once established, with high drought tolerance due to deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches. Mowing frequency is regular during active spring and fall growth. Requires moderate fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good disease resistance (though susceptible to brown patch), excellent drought recovery, moderate salt tolerance, and strong erosion control due to deep root mass.
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for soil stabilization and turf. Provides moderate wildlife habitat and forage for livestock. Often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.