Tall Fescue (with some Crabgrass invasion visible)
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue blends (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Titan')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7 (adapts well into the transition zone up to Zone 9 with irrigation). Excellent cold tolerance and good heat tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
Forms a coarse to medium-textured turf with an upright growth habit. Bright to dark green color, maintaining better color into summer and winter than many other cool-season grasses. Unmowed height can reach 2 to 4 feet, while maintained turf is kept around 2.5 to 4 inches.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface and smooth underneath. Pointed tip. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Membranous ligule with small or absent auricles.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system going down several feet, providing excellent drought and heat tolerance for a cool-season grass. Moderate establishment speed, forms a moderately dense sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe; widely naturalized and cultivated throughout North America, especially in the transition zone and cooler regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass forming moderately dense clumps, though modern turf-type varieties show slight short rhizome development.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to moderate shade. Requires moderate watering once established; highly drought-resistant due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches. Requires regular mowing during growing seasons, moderate fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), occasional aeration, and low to medium maintenance overall.
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good disease resistance (though susceptible to brown patch in hot/humid weather), moderate shade tolerance, excellent drought recovery, and good erosion control due to deep roots.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control. Often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass in turf seed mixes.