Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, well-suited for the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue varieties (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Biltmore')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9; excellent heat and cold tolerance; highly suitable for the transition zone
About This Grass
Forms a moderately coarse, upright, dense turf with a vibrant green color. Typical maintained height is 2 to 3.5 inches, while unmowed growth can reach up to 2-4 feet with open panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (4-8mm), flat shape with prominent veins on the upper surface, pointed tip, rolled in the bud (vernation), with a short membranous ligule and small or absent auricles
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system reaching depths of 2-3 feet or more, providing excellent drought tolerance and stability; moderate thatch tendency and slow to medium establishment speed
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Western Asia; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass with short, underground rhizomes forming a moderately dense clump
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade; moderate water needs once established with high drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches; frequency of once a week during peak growth; fertilization requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; medium maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Good traffic and wear tolerance, excellent drought and heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, moderate shade tolerance, and good disease resistance
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for erosion control, pasture, and turf; provides moderate wildlife value and helps with soil stabilization and water infiltration