Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly well-adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Falcon')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, excellent heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, good cold tolerance, performs exceptionally well in the transition zone.
About This Grass
Forms a moderately coarse, upright, dense turf with a vibrant medium-to-dark green color. Unmowed height can reach 2 to 4 feet, but when maintained it forms an even, durable turf with prominent parallel veins on the leaves and open panicle seed heads at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (4-8mm), flat shape with prominent parallel veins and a distinct midrib, pointed tips, medium green color, rolled vernation in the bud, with a short membranous ligule and small or absent auricles.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down 2 to 3 feet or more, low thatch tendency, moderate establishment speed from seed, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots, and moderate wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely cultivated throughout North America, particularly the transition zone and cooler regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type with short rhizomes, forming a dense, clump-forming sward without aggressive spreading
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than many cool-season grasses), requires moderate moisture once established, high drought tolerance due to deep roots, adapts well to a wide range of soils with a preferred pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches, mowed weekly during active growth seasons, requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, low to moderate thatch tendency, medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good resistance to most major turf diseases and insects, moderate salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery, maintains good winter color in milder zones, strong erosion control capability.
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for utility turf and erosion control, provides standard wildlife habitat and cover, excellent soil stabilization qualities due to deep roots, often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.