Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass; highly adaptable as a transition zone grass.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
General turf-type tall fescue (e.g., 'Rebel' series). Notable for fine texture and darker green color compared to older forage varieties like 'Kentucky 31'.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. Excellent heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, thriving well in the transition zone.
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, coarse-textured bunchgrass turf. Typical height when unmowed reaches 2 to 4 feet, but maintained lawns are kept at 2 to 3 inches. Color is a rich medium-to-dark green. Leaves feature prominent parallel veins. Seed heads are open, branching panicles.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (4-8mm wide), flat to slightly folded, with pointed tips. The undersides are glossy, while the upper surface is strongly ribbed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Features a membranous ligule, absent or small auricles, and a broad collar region. Noticeable purplish/reddish coloration at the base and on older senescing lower leaves.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system going down 2 to 3 feet or more, contributing to excellent drought tolerance. Low-to-moderate thatch-forming tendency. Establishes relatively quickly from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia. Widely cultivated and naturalized across North America, particularly the transition zone and cooler humid regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass with short, underground rhizomes that can form a moderately dense turf over time, though it primarily grows in clumps.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to moderate shade (good shade tolerance for a cool-season grass). Requires moderate watering; once established, its deep roots provide good drought resistance, though it goes semi-dormant in severe drought. Prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Mow weekly during peak growth. Fertilization requires 2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to moderate maintenance level overall, requiring occasional overseeding rather than heavy dethatching.
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance due to deep roots and strong cell walls. Good resistance to many common turf diseases. Excellent drought recovery and erosion control. Does not spread aggressively via stolons, meaning damage must be repaired by overseeding.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides moderate wildlife value for grazing herbivores and birds. Excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes due to its deep, massive root system.