Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season perennial, C3 grass, highly well-suited to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass and Utility Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-type tall fescue cultivars (e.g., 'Bison', 'Rebel', 'Falcon')
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7 (and into 8 in transition zones), highly cold tolerant, good heat tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses, semi-dormant during severe summer droughts or harsh winters.
About This Grass
Tall Fescue is a deep-rooted, coarse-to-medium textured bunchgrass that forms a relatively upright, medium-to-dark green turf. When unmanaged, it can grow up to 2-4 feet tall, but when mowed regularly, it forms a dense stand. It has prominent veined leaves and occasional rough margins.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width blades (4-8mm), flat shape with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, medium green color, rolled in the bud (vernation), with a short membranous ligule and small, blunt auricles.
Root System
Exceptionally deep root system (often extending 2 to 3 feet or more into the soil), fibrous, low-to-moderate thatch tendency, moderate-to-fast establishment speed, excellent drought avoidance due to deep roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, particularly in the transition zone and cooler regions.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type grass with short, underground rhizomes that can form a moderately dense, clump-forming turf over time.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most other cool-season turfgrasses except fine fescues). Requires moderate watering once established, exhibits high drought tolerance because of 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 4 inches. Requires regular mowing during active growth periods, moderate fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), low thatch buildup requiring infrequent dethatching, and medium maintenance level overall.
Special Characteristics
Good traffic and wear tolerance, recovers well from wear due to tillering, moderate-to-good resistance to many common turf diseases, very good tolerance to poor soils and periodic waterlogging, excellent for erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for pasture, forage, and erosion control. Provides good ground cover and stabilization for slopes and pathways. Often blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass in turf mixes.