Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass; exhibits good tolerance in the transition zone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7 (and into 9 with irrigation). Excellent cold tolerance and better summer heat tolerance than Kentucky Bluegrass or Perennial Ryegrass. Suitable for the transition zone.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Titan')
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, upright clump with a medium-coarse texture and a rich dark green color. Unmowed height can reach 2 to 4 feet, while maintained turf is kept much shorter. Blades are relatively stiff and upright with prominent parallel veins.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-coarse width (4-8mm), flat shape, pointed tip, dark green color, rolled vernation in the bud, prominent raised parallel veins on the upper surface, smooth glossy underside. Ligule is a very short membrane, auricles are small and blunt (claw-like clasping the stem in some variants, though often indistinct), and the collar is broad and distinct.
Root System
Deep root system (often reaching 2 to 3 feet or more), fibrous, moderate to slow establishment speed from seed, low thatch-forming tendency, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots, good wear tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, particularly the transition zone and cooler regions
Growth Habit
Primarily bunch-type (clump-forming), though modern turf-type cultivars may have very short, rudimentary rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in Full Sun to Partial Shade (better shade tolerance than Kentucky Bluegrass). Requires moderate watering once established; exhibits superior drought resistance due to deep root system. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Mowing frequency is weekly during active growth. Fertilization requires 2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. Low to medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good resistance to many common turf diseases, moderate salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery compared to other cool-season grasses, poor winter color retention in colder zones (goes semi-dormant or brown with frost), excellent for erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good wildlife cover and nesting sites, exceptional soil stabilization and erosion control due to deep extensive roots, commonly mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass or Perennial Ryegrass in turf seed blends.