Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, widely adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass and Pasture/Forage
Variety / Cultivar
'Rebel IV' Tall Fescue, known for improved heat and drought tolerance as well as deep-rooting capabilities
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, excellent heat and cold tolerance, well-suited for the transition zone
About This Grass
Forms upright, dense tufts of coarse-textured foliage with a medium to dark green color, maintaining color well into late autumn and early winter; unmowed height can reach 2 to 4 feet, producing open panicle seed heads
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (4-8mm), flat shape with prominent veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, rolled in the bud (vernation), with a distinct membranous ligule and small or absent auricles
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down 2 to 4 feet or more, low thatch tendency, moderate establishment speed, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe; widely cultivated in North America, particularly the transition zone and northern United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) grass, forming dense individual clumps with very short, thick rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Tolerates full sun down to moderate shade, requires moderate watering once established, high drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses, prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.0 to 3.5 inches, mowed weekly during active growth, fertilization needs are moderate (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), low to medium overall maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Good wear tolerance, moderate disease resistance (prone to brown patch in high humidity), good shade tolerance, excellent drought recovery, widely used for home lawns and sports fields
Ecological Information
Introduced species, provides good wildlife cover and erosion control due to extensive deep root system, frequently used in grass blends with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass