Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly adapted to the transition zone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, excellent heat and cold tolerance, highly successful in the transition zone, goes into summer dormancy under extreme heat and drought if unwatered
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type Tall Fescue (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Titan')
About This Grass
Forms a dense, uniform, medium-to-coarse textured turf with a vibrant medium-green color. Unmowed height can reach 2 to 4 feet, but maintained at 2.5 to 4 inches. Features prominent upright blades and lacks aggressive spreading structures.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-to-coarse width (4-8mm), flat shape with prominent veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, medium green color, rolled vernation in the bud, and a short membranous ligule with small, rounded auricles
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down 2 to 3 feet or more, moderate to slow establishment speed, low thatch tendency, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots, forms a moderately dense sod
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, especially in the transition zone and cooler humid regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type growth habit with short rhizomes, forming a dense turf with minimal lateral spreading
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade tolerance (better than most cool-season grasses), moderate watering needs once established, superior drought tolerance among cool-season grasses, prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH 5.5 to 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 2.5 to 4 inches, weekly mowing during peak growth, moderate fertilization (2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), low thatch tendency meaning minimal dethatching needed, medium maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Good traffic and wear tolerance, high resistance to major turf diseases compared to other cool-season grasses, excellent drought recovery, good shade tolerance, poor salt tolerance, exceptional erosion control due to deep roots
Ecological Information
Introduced species, provides good wildlife cover and habitat value in agricultural and semi-natural settings, excellent soil stabilization and water filtration capabilities, often used in turf blends with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass