Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly successful in the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass and Pasture Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Standard turf-type cultivars (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Hounddog')
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, highly tolerant of summer heat and winter cold, excellent for the transition zone
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, coarse-textured bunchgrass clump that grows upright to heights of 2 to 4 feet if unmowed, maintaining a dark green color year-round in moderate climates
Blade Characteristics
Coarse-textured blades ranging from 4-8mm wide, flat, pointed tips, rolled in the bud (vernation), prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, membranous ligule, and small or absent auricles
Root System
Deep fibrous root system extending 2-4 feet into the soil, providing exceptional drought tolerance, moderate establishment speed, and low thatch-forming tendencies
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type growth habit with short, underground rhizomes occasionally present
Sunlight & Water Needs
Adapts well to both full sun and partial shade, moderate watering needs once established, highly drought-tolerant due to deep roots, prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH between 5.5 and 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height between 2.5 and 4 inches, mowed weekly during active growth seasons, moderate fertilization needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), medium maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Good wear tolerance, excellent drought recovery, high resistance to brown patch and summer slump, moderate shade tolerance, and strong erosion control capabilities
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for erosion control and turf; provides cover and forage for wildlife; can form dense stands that stabilize soil and filter runoff