Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Biltmore')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. Excellent adaptation to the transition zone, tolerating summer heat and winter cold well.
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense turf with medium-coarse texture and a rich medium-green color. Mown height typically maintained at 2-3.5 inches, while unmowed it can reach 2-4 feet. Exhibits good wear tolerance and deep root growth.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-coarse in width (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, and rough margins. Tip is pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a short membranous fringe, and auricles are blunt or absent.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system going down several feet, providing excellent drought avoidance, moderate thatch resistance, and slow-to-moderate establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, especially in the transition zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass with short rhizomes, forming dense clumps rather than an aggressive spreading sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade. Tolerates moderate shade better than many other cool-season grasses. Requires moderate watering once established and exhibits good drought tolerance due to deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches. Requires regular mowing during active growth, medium fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), occasional overseeding for thin spots, and low-to-medium overall maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Good wear tolerance, highly resilient under heavy traffic, moderate disease resistance (though susceptible to brown patch in humid heat), good drought and shade tolerance compared to Kentucky bluegrass.
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for lawns, pastures, and erosion control. Provides good soil stabilization on slopes due to deep roots, moderate wildlife habitat value, and is often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.