Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season perennial grass, C3 photosynthetic pathway, highly adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue (e.g., 'Rebel IV', 'Titan') featuring finer leaf texture and darker green color than older forage varieties
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7, highly successful in the transition zone with good heat and cold tolerance
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, upright turf with a medium to coarse texture; bright to medium green color; typical mowing height maintains it at 2 to 3.5 inches, while unmowed it can reach 2 to 4 feet with open, lax panicle seed heads
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-coarse (width 4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface and smooth underneath; pointed tips; rolled in the bud (vernation); short membranous ligule; small or absent auricles; distinct broad collar region
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down 2 to 3 feet or more, low to moderate thatch tendency, moderate establishment speed from seed, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots, moderate wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, particularly well-suited for the transition zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass that can form a somewhat dense sward through short, underground rhizomes when mature
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than many other cool-season turfgrasses); moderate water requirements once established; high drought avoidance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH between 5.5 and 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches; mow weekly during active growth; fertilization needs are moderate (2 to 3 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year); infrequent dethatching needed; overseeding recommended in fall to repair thin spots; medium maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Good traffic and wear tolerance, moderate disease resistance (susceptible to brown patch in hot humid weather), good drought tolerance due to deep roots, stays green longer into winter than many cool-season grasses, excellent erosion control
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides fair wildlife habitat and soil stabilization; non-invasive in turf settings; frequently blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass for residential lawns