Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass; highly adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Titan')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9; excellent tolerance to summer heat in the transition zone compared to other cool-season grasses; goes into semi-dormancy under severe drought or extreme heat
About This Grass
Forms a relatively coarse, upright turf with medium-to-dark green coloration; typical maintenance height is 2 to 3.5 inches, while unmowed grass can grow over 2 feet tall with open, branching panicle seed heads
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-to-coarse in width (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, and a rolled vernation in the bud; collar is broad and prominent with a short, membranous ligule and absent auricles
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system going down several feet, providing excellent drought tolerance and moderate establishment speed; moderate-to-low thatch-forming tendency compared to aggressive rhizomatous grasses
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe; widely cultivated and naturalized across North America, especially in the transition zone and cooler regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type growth habit with short, underground rhizomes that help form a moderately dense, clump-forming turf
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade; requires moderate watering once established but has superior drought tolerance among cool-season grasses due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches; medium maintenance level requiring 2 to 4 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually; occasional overseeding needed to repair bare spots since it spreads slowly by tiller
Special Characteristics
Good traffic and wear tolerance, excellent heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, good disease resistance, moderate shade tolerance, and strong erosion control capabilities due to deep roots
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for pasture, turf, and stabilization; provides good ground cover and wildlife habitat; commonly blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass in turf applications