Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass; highly adaptable 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', 'Titan')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9; excellent heat and cold tolerance for a cool-season grass, making it ideal for the transition zone.
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, upright turf with medium-coarse texture. Unmowed height reaches 2 to 4 feet, but maintained lawns are kept at 2 to 3.5 inches. Bright to dark green color that is retained well into winter.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface and a shiny underside. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Leaf tips are pointed. Ligule is a very short membrane, and auricles are blunt and clasping.
Root System
Deep root system extending up to 2 to 3 feet or more, fibrous, moderate establishment speed, forms a moderately dense sod, low to moderate thatch-forming tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe; widely cultivated and naturalized across North America, particularly in the transition zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with short, underground rhizomes that can provide limited lateral spread
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade; good shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Moderate water needs once established, excellent drought tolerance due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches. Frequency depends on growth rate (weekly during peak spring/fall). Fertilization requires 2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. Low to medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Good traffic and wear tolerance, self-repairs slowly via short rhizomes, good drought recovery, moderate to high disease resistance, excellent for erosion control and home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides good wildlife cover and forage value. Helps with soil stabilization and water filtration. Often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.