Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly adaptable 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', 'Biltmore', or 'Falcon')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, highly successful in the transition zone due to superior heat and drought tolerance compared to Kentucky bluegrass.
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, upright turf with medium to coarse texture and a dark green color. It maintains its green color longer into hot summer months and droughts compared to other cool-season grasses. Height when unmowed reaches 2 to 4 feet, but maintained at 2 to 3.5 inches. Seed heads are open panicles.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-coarse (4-8mm wide), flat, with pointed tips, prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, and a shiny undersurface. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a very short membrane, auricles are small and blunt (often absent or claw-like in younger shoots), and the collar is broad and continuous.
Root System
Extremely deep root system (often going down 2 to 4 feet or more), which gives it exceptional drought tolerance compared to other cool-season turfgrasses. Low to moderate thatch-forming tendency; establishes fairly quickly from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely cultivated throughout North America, particularly the transition zone and cooler humid regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass that forms relatively dense clumps, though modern turf-type varieties can exhibit short, weak rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun but has better shade tolerance than many other sunny-climate grasses. Requires moderate watering once established, with high drought tolerance 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. Mowing frequency is moderate (weekly during active growth). Fertilization needs are moderate (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Low to medium maintenance level overall; requires occasional overseeding to fill in thin spots.
Special Characteristics
Good traffic and wear tolerance, recovers well from wear due to deep root system, good resistance to many common turf diseases, moderate salt tolerance, and excellent ability to prevent soil erosion.
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for conservation and erosion control. Provides good ground cover and stability for soil, moderate wildlife value, and forms stable turf stands often mixed with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.