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, Sports Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue varieties (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Biltmore', 'Hounddog'). Known for finer texture and darker green color compared to older forage varieties like 'Kentucky 31'.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7 (and into Zone 8 in transition areas). Excellent heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, retaining green color longer into summer.
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, coarse-to-medium textured turf with a deep green color. Height ranges from 2 to 4 inches when maintained, but can grow up to 3 to 4 feet tall if left unmowed. Produces an open panicle seed head at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (4-8mm), flat shape with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tip, bright to dark green color, rolled vernation in the bud, and a very short membranous ligule with small or absent auricles.
Root System
Extremely deep root system (often reaching 2 to 3 feet or more), fibrous, moderate to low thatch tendency, moderate establishment speed from seed, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia. Widely cultivated throughout the transition zone and cooler regions of North America.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass that forms dense clumps, though modern turf-type varieties can exhibit short, weak rhizomes allowing for very limited self-repair.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun but has better shade tolerance than most other cool-season turfgrasses. Requires moderate watering once established; high drought tolerance due to deep root penetration. 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 weekly during peak growth. Fertilization needs are moderate (2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Low to medium maintenance overall; requires occasional overseeding in thin spots.
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good disease resistance (though susceptible to brown patch in hot, humid weather), moderate shade tolerance, excellent drought recovery, and good erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good wildlife cover and soil stabilization. Often used in mixes with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass, though modern lawns frequently use 100% turf-type tall fescue.