Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue cultivars (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Biltmore')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, excellent heat and cold tolerance, performs exceptionally well in the transition zone
About This Grass
Tall Fescue is a deep-rooted, coarse-textured bunchgrass known for its exceptional heat and drought tolerance among cool-season grasses. It forms an upright, dense turf of medium to dark green color with a distinct bunching habit if not dense. Unmowed height reaches 2 to 4 feet with panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse blade width (4-8mm), flat shape with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tip, medium to dark green color, rolled vernation in the bud, and a membranous ligule with small or absent auricles
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system going down 2 to 4 feet or more, low to moderate thatch tendency, rapid establishment from seed, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots, and moderate wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America and temperate regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass that can form a relatively dense turf when seeded heavily, with very short underground rhizomes in some turf types
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade tolerance, requires moderate water once established but survives dry spells by going dormant, prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches, mow weekly during active growth, requires 2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year, medium maintenance level, requires overseeding occasionally to fill in thin spots
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good resistance to common turf diseases (though susceptible to brown patch in hot, humid weather), moderate salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery, and good erosion control
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for pasture and turf, provides good wildlife cover and grazing for livestock, excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes, often mixed with Kentucky bluegrass