Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season perennial, C3 grass, highly well-adapted to the transition zone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass and Sports Turf, also used for Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, highly valued in the transition zone where other cool-season grasses struggle
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Titan'), bred for finer texture, darker green color, and denser growth than older forage varieties like 'Kentucky 31'
About This Grass
Forms a moderately coarse to medium-textured turf with an upright growth habit, medium to dark green color, and high density when properly maintained. Unmowed height can reach 2 to 4 feet with open panicle seed heads, while maintained turf is kept much lower. Exhibits good color retention into late autumn.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse blade width (4-6mm), flat shape with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, dark green to medium green color, rolled vernation in the bud, rough margins, and a short membranous ligule with small or absent auricles
Root System
Deep root system extending down 2 to 3 feet or more into the soil, fibrous with occasional short rhizomes, moderate to slow establishment speed, low thatch-forming tendency, providing exceptional drought tolerance and moderate wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely cultivated throughout the United States, particularly the transition zone and cooler northern regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass with short, underground rhizomes that provide a slight self-repairing capability and dense clump formation
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than many other cool-season grasses), moderate watering needs once established, excellent drought tolerance due to deep roots, prefers well-drained loamy soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches, mowed weekly during peak growth periods, fertilization requirement of 2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year, low to medium maintenance level, occasional aeration and overseeding needed
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good disease resistance, moderate salt tolerance, excellent shade and drought tolerance compared to Kentucky bluegrass, strong erosion control capabilities due to extensive root depth
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for soil stabilization and turf, provides moderate wildlife value for grazing and cover, does not typically exhibit aggressive invasive tendencies in managed turf, often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass