Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass; well-suited for 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', 'Biltmore', 'Falcon IV')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7 (can extend into Zone 8 in cooler microclimates or with proper management); excellent transition zone performance; goes semi-dormant during extreme summer heat or severe winter cold
About This Grass
Forms a moderately coarse, upright turf with a rich medium-to-dark green color; height ranges from 2 to 4 inches when maintained as a lawn, but can grow much taller if unmowed; dense growth with good heat tolerance for a cool-season grass
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, rolled in the bud (vernation), rough margins, distinct whitish membranous ligule, and small or absent auricles
Root System
Deep root system (up to 2-4 feet or more), highly fibrous; low to moderate thatch tendency; relatively fast establishment from seed; deep roots provide excellent drought tolerance and good wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe; widely cultivated and naturalized across North America, particularly in the transition zone and northern United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with short, underground rhizomes that can form a somewhat dense sward over time
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than many cool-season grasses); moderate watering needs once established; superior drought tolerance compared to Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass; prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH between 5.5 and 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches; frequent mowing during peak growing seasons; fertilization rate of 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; low to moderate thatch tendency requiring occasional dethatching; overseeding recommended in fall; medium maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Good wear and traffic tolerance; high resistance to many common turf diseases (though susceptible to brown patch in hot, humid weather); excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots; good erosion control; moderate salt tolerance
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides good wildlife cover and minor food source for birds and small mammals; excellent soil stabilization due to deep root system; often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass in turf mixes