Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season perennial, C3 grass, highly adaptable 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', 'Titan', or similar modern turf cultivars bred for finer texture and darker green color)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7 (and into 8 with irrigation); excellent tolerance for the transition zone, good cold hardiness and superior heat tolerance for a cool-season grass.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, medium-to-coarse textured turf with a vibrant medium-to-dark green color. Unmowed height can reach 2 to 4 feet with open panicle seed heads, but when maintained as a lawn it stays at 2 to 3.5 inches with a upright, somewhat coarse appearance.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-to-wide (4-8mm), flat with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface and a glossy underside. Tip is pointed. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a very short membrane, auricles are small and blunt (or absent), and the collar is broad and continuous.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2 to 3 feet or more), which gives it superior drought tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. Moderate establishment speed, moderate thatch tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia; widely cultivated across the United States, especially in the transition zone and cooler regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) grass that can form a reasonably uniform turf when seeded densely, though modern varieties possess short rhizomes to aid in minor self-repair.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun but has better shade tolerance than Kentucky Bluegrass or Perennial Ryegrass. Requires moderate watering once established; highly drought-resistant due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained loamy soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Mower blades should be kept sharp to prevent shredding the wide leaves. Requires medium maintenance, fertilization of 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, and occasional overseeding to fill in thin spots.
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, good drought recovery, moderate-to-good shade tolerance, excellent erosion control due to deep root system, and decent resistance to many common turf diseases.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization, moderate wildlife habitat value, and is frequently blended with Kentucky Bluegrass or perennial ryegrass in turf seed mixes.