Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly successful in 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., 'Biltmore', 'Rebel', 'Hounddog')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 9, excellent heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, good cold hardiness.
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, coarse to medium-textured turf. Reaches 2-4 feet if unmowed, maintained at 2-3 inches. Medium to dark green color with good wear tolerance. Leaf blades have prominent veins.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-coarse width (4-8mm), flat shape, pointed tips, dark to medium green color, rolled vernation in the bud, prominent parallel veins on the upper surface.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down 2-3 feet or more, low to moderate thatch tendency, moderate establishment speed, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, particularly the transition zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass with short, underground rhizomes providing limited lateral spread
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade. Requires regular watering for best appearance but survives dry periods well 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. Fertilization requirement is moderate (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High wear and traffic tolerance, good resistance to common turf diseases, moderate salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery compared to other cool-season grasses, poor shade tolerance compared to fine fescues.
Ecological Information
Introduced species, provides good erosion control on slopes due to deep root system, frequently blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.