Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · 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, Pasture/Forage
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue (e.g., 'Rebel', 'Titan', 'Biltmore') known for darker green color, finer texture, and denser growth than older forage varieties like 'Kentucky 31'.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. Excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass and good cold tolerance, making it a primary choice for the transition zone.
About This Grass
Forms a moderately coarse, upright clump with a medium-to-dark green color. Height ranges from 2 to 4 feet if unmowed, but maintained at 2 to 3.5 inches in lawns. Leaf blades are relatively wide with prominent parallel veins. Produces an open, panicle-type seed head at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse to medium width (4-8mm), flat shape with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, medium to dark green color, rolled in the bud (vernation), short membranous ligule, and small or absent auricles.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system reaching depths of 2 to 3 feet or more. Low thatch-forming tendency, moderate establishment speed from seed. Deep roots provide exceptional drought tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, particularly in the transition zone and cool temperate regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass forming distinct clumps, though modern turf-type varieties may spread slowly via very short rhizomes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than many warm-season grasses and Kentucky bluegrass). Moderate water needs once established, with high drought tolerance due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Mow weekly during peak growth. Fertilize with 2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. Low to medium maintenance level; requires occasional overseeding in thin spots since it is a bunch grass.
Special Characteristics
Good traffic and wear tolerance, moderate disease resistance (susceptible to brown patch in hot, humid weather), good shade tolerance, exceptional drought recovery, excellent erosion control, and moderate salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for soil stabilization and forage. Provides moderate wildlife cover, though often grown as a monoculture or in blends with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass in turf applications.