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, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Falcon', 'Biltmore')
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7, with good performance extending into the upper transition zones of Zone 8. Excellent heat and cold tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
Forms a deep-green, upright, medium-to-coarse textured turf. Can reach heights of 2 to 4 feet if left unmowed, but maintained lawns are typically kept between 2 and 3.5 inches. Color ranges from bright to medium-dark green and stays green longer into the winter than many other cool-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-coarse (approx. 4-8mm wide), flat, with prominent veins on the upper surface and a glossy underside. Tips are sharply pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a short membrane, and auricles are absent or blunt.
Root System
Exceptionally deep root system (often reaching 2 to 3 feet or more), making it highly drought-tolerant. Forms a strong, moderately dense sod with low-to-moderate thatch tendency and establishes fairly quickly from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, especially in the transition zone and cooler regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with short, underground rhizomes in some modern turf-types, producing a moderately dense sward without aggressive spreading.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than many other cool-season grasses). 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. Mow frequently during peak growth seasons, removing no more than one-third of the blade height. Fertilization needs are moderate (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Maintenance level is medium.
Special Characteristics
Good wear and traffic tolerance, excellent drought and heat resistance for a cool-season grass, moderate shade tolerance, and good disease resistance (though susceptible to brown patch in hot, humid weather). Recovers well from occasional stress.
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for soil stabilization, erosion control, and turf. Provides moderate wildlife value for grazing herbivores and ground-nesting birds. Often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass in turf seed mixes.