Tall Fescue
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly adaptable in the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
‘Rebel IV’ or standard turf-type tall fescue cultivars known for darker green color and finer texture than older forage varieties like 'Kentucky 31'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. Excellent heat and drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, highly successful in the transition zone. Good cold tolerance down to -20°F or lower.
About This Grass
Forms a moderately dense, coarse-textured sward with an upright growth habit. Bright to medium green color. Mown height typically maintained at 2-3.5 inches, while unmowed plants can reach 2-4 feet. Leaves are coarse with prominent parallel veins.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-coarse (4-8mm wide), flat, with pointed tips and prominent parallel veins giving a ribbed upper surface. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a very short membranous ring, auricles are blunt or absent, and the collar is broad and continuous.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system going down 2-3 feet or more, which contributes to exceptional drought tolerance. Establishes moderately fast from seed (germination in 7-14 days). Low to moderate thatch-forming tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, particularly well-suited for the transition zone and cool-humid regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) grass that can form a relatively uniform turf when seeded densely, with short underground rhizomes in some modern turf-type varieties
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun but has better shade tolerance than many other cool-season grasses. Moderate to high drought tolerance once established due to deep roots. Requires about 1 inch of water per week during growing season. Prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH 5.5-6.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches. Mow weekly during active growth. Fertilization requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually split across spring and fall. Requires occasional overseeding due to bunch-type habit. Maintenance level is medium.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, good resistance to common turf diseases (brown patch can be an issue in high humidity), moderate shade and salt tolerance, superior drought recovery compared to Kentucky bluegrass, excellent for erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for pasture and turf. Provides good erosion control on slopes and banks due to deep root system. Can be blended with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass, though modern turf-type tall fescue is often grown as a monoculture for uniform appearance.