Shade-Loving & Fine-Blade Lawn Grass

Kentucky Bluegrass

• Kentucky bluegrass grows well in sunny areas, but gardening stores also sell varieties of Kentucky bluegrass that like at least partial shade. This type of grass has medium-fine grass blades and a rich dark green color. Kentucky bluegrass likes moist soils with lots of drainage. People commonly use it in parks, golf courses, lawns and sports fields.

Creeping Red Fescue

• Most fescues grow in clumps, but creeping red fescue spreads more easily than other fescues because it reproduces through rhizomes. It tolerates shade, and many grass seed mixtures for shade contain some creeping red fescue. This grass grows more vigorously than some other fine fescues, helping worn-out sports fields and other high-traffic areas regenerate.

Slender Creeping Red Fescue

• Slender creeping red fescue reproduces through rhizomes, like creeping red fescue, but it grows more slowly than creeping red fescue. It tolerates lower mowing heights than most other fine fescues, making it a popular choice for shady golf fairways. Slender creeping red fescue can also grow in somewhat salty soils.

Chewings Fescue

• Chewings fescue is a type of red fescue that grows in clumps, rather than spreading out like creeping red fescues. Since it does not spread, gardeners must spread its seeds out evenly to ensure a smooth turf. This type of grass has a darker green color than most fine fescues and a very fine texture, making it popular for turf.

Sheep Fescue

• Sheep fescue grows well in shady areas and often comes in a blueish green color. People commonly use sheep fescue for lawns that they do not want to mow often. It grows well among wildflowers and has a bunching, rather than creeping, growth pattern.

Hard Fescue

• Hard fescue likes lots of shade and also tolerates hotter temperatures than other types of fine fescues. Therefore, it grows more vigorously during hot summer weather and likes drier soils than other fine fescues. It grows in bunches, rather than spreading, so gardeners need to seed it evenly.