Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7, highly successful in the transition zone.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue varieties (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Titan')
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense turf with coarse to medium texture, deep green color, and upright growth habit. Height reaches 2 to 4 feet if unmowed, maintained at 2 to 3.5 inches.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (4-8mm), flat shape, pointed tips, dark green color, rolled vernation in the bud, prominent parallel veins, narrow membranous ligule, and small or absent auricles.
Root System
Deep root system extending down several feet, fibrous, low thatch tendency, moderate establishment speed, excellent drought tolerance due to deep roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, especially the transition zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type with short, underground rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; high drought tolerance once established; requires moderate watering; prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH 5.5-6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches; moderate maintenance level; fertilize 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; requires occasional overseeding for bare spots.
Special Characteristics
Good wear tolerance, high heat and drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses, moderate disease resistance, poor salt tolerance, excellent erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides good soil stabilization and erosion control; low invasive tendency in turf settings; often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.