Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly adapted to the transition zone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. Excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and good cold tolerance
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Falcon')
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, upright clump of medium to coarse texture with a rich medium-to-dark green color. Can grow up to 2-4 feet tall if left unmowed, but maintained at 2-3 inches for lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-to-wide (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, and a rolled vernation in the bud. The ligule is short and membranous, and auricles are absent or blunt.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down several feet, providing excellent drought tolerance, low thatch-forming tendency, and moderate establishment speed
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and introduced globally; widely cultivated in the United States, especially the transition zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with very short, occasional underground rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than many other cool-season grasses). Moderate water needs once established, with high drought tolerance due to deep roots
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches. Requires moderate maintenance, regular mowing, and fertilization of 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good disease resistance, excellent drought recovery, moderate salt tolerance, and strong ability to prevent erosion
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for erosion control and turf. Provides moderate wildlife forage value, though often infected with an endophyte fungus that deters herbivores