Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly adapted to 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')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. Excellent heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, making it the premier choice for the transition zone.
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, upright turf with a medium-coarse texture. Unmowed height reaches 2 to 4 feet, while maintained turf is kept at 2 to 3.5 inches. Bright to medium green color with good year-round color retention in mild winters.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-coarse in width (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, and possess a pointed tip. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a short membrane, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system going down 2 to 3 feet or more, providing exceptional drought tolerance and heat resistance. Establishes moderately quickly from seed, forms a moderately dense sod, and has a low tendency to produce thatch.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated in North America, performs best in the transition zone and northern climates
Growth Habit
Bunch-type growth habit with short, underground rhizomes that provide limited lateral spreading
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to moderate shade (more shade tolerant than most other cool-season turfgrasses). Needs regular watering for best appearance but survives periods of drought via 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. Mowing frequency is weekly during peak growth periods. Requires moderate fertilization (2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Low to medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Good wear and traffic tolerance, excellent drought and heat tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses, good disease resistance (though susceptible to brown patch), poor tolerance to severe soil compaction, and poor recovery from severe damage due to its bunch-type nature.
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for soil stabilization, erosion control, and turf. Provides moderate wildlife habitat value. Often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass, though modern turf-type tall fescues are increasingly planted as monocultures.