Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly well-adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, Sports Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
'Rebel IV' or similar turf-type tall fescue cultivars known for finer texture and improved density
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, excellent performance in the transition zone, high heat and cold tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, upright turf with medium-coarse texture. Reaches 2-4 feet tall if unmowed, but maintained at 2-3 inches. Rich dark green color that persists well into late autumn and winter. Leaves have prominent parallel veins.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-coarse width (3-6mm), flat shape with distinct parallel raised veins on the upper surface, pointed tip, medium to dark green color, rolled in the bud (vernation), auricles absent or small, and a very short membranous ligule
Root System
Extremely deep root system (up to 4-6 feet), fibrous, moderate to slow thatch-forming tendency, good establishment speed from seed, provides exceptional drought tolerance once established
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely introduced and cultivated across North America, particularly the transition zone and northern United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass that forms dense clumps, though modern turf-types can have very short rhizomes allowing limited lateral spread
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (good shade tolerance for a cool-season grass), requires moderate watering once established, high drought tolerance due to deep roots, prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH 5.5-6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 2.5 to 3.5 inches, mowed weekly during active growth, fertilization needs 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year, low to medium maintenance level, requires occasional overseeding in thin spots
Special Characteristics
High wear and traffic tolerance, good resistance to brown patch and summer slump, moderate salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery, superior erosion control due to deep root system
Ecological Information
Introduced species, provides good forage and pasture value for livestock, moderate wildlife cover, excellent soil stabilization and water filtration due to deep extensive root mass, commonly blended with Kentucky bluegrass