Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue (e.g., 'Falcon IV', 'Rebel') bred for finer texture and darker green color
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9; excellent transition zone performance, highly tolerant of summer heat compared to other cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
Forms coarse to medium-textured upright clumps. Height can reach 2 to 4 feet if unmowed, but maintained at 2 to 3 inches. Bright to dark green color, good drought tolerance and persistence.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse to medium width (4-8mm), flat blades with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, smooth shiny underside, pointed tips, rolled in the bud (vernation), with a distinct membranous ligule and small claw-like auricles.
Root System
Deep root system (up to 2-3 feet or more), fibrous, moderate to slow establishment speed, low thatch tendency, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe; widely cultivated in North America, especially the transition zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with short, infrequent rhizomes in some turf-type cultivars
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; moderate water needs once established; high drought tolerance due to deep root system; prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH 5.5 to 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 2.5 to 3.5 inches, frequent mowing in spring/fall, moderate fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), low to medium overall maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance, good disease resistance (brown patch can be an issue in humid heat), deep root recovery from drought, poor shade tolerance compared to fine fescues, excellent erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species, highly valuable for forage and turf, provides good wildlife cover, prevents soil erosion effectively on slopes, often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.