Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Standard turf-type tall fescue (TTTF) varieties such as 'Rebel' or 'Bison'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9; highly successful in the transition zone due to excellent heat and cold tolerance
About This Grass
Forms coarse to medium-textured clumps with an upright growth habit. Bright to dark green in color, growing 2 to 4 feet tall if left unmowed, but maintained at lower heights in lawns. Features coarse-textured blades compared to fine fescues and bluegrass
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (4-8mm), flat shape with prominent parallel veins, pointed tips, medium to dark green color, rolled vernation in the bud, and a membranous ligule with absent or small auricles
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system going down several feet, providing exceptional drought tolerance and resilience once established, though it establishes moderately quickly from seed
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and temperate Asia; widely cultivated throughout North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass that can form a relatively dense turf when seeded heavily, with short, underground rhizomes in some modern cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to moderate shade; requires moderate watering once established but has superior drought resistance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH between 5.5 and 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches; medium maintenance level requiring regular mowing, moderate fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), and occasional overseeding to fill in thin spots
Special Characteristics
Good wear tolerance, excellent drought and heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, good disease resistance, moderate salt tolerance, and strong erosion control capabilities due to its deep root system
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used in turf and agriculture; provides good soil stabilization, moderate wildlife habitat value, and is often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass