Types of Grass for South Carolina

Bermudagrass

• Bermudagrass is a medium-dark, fine-textured, warm-season grass that thrives on South Carolina lawns. It is relatively high-maintenance and requires frequent mowing. Its is resistance to disease and wear damage makes it a popular choice for athletic fields and golf courses. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including salty soil, and is very tolerant of drought and moderately so of cold. It does not grow well in shade. Bermudagrass is most often established through sod or plugs, but can also start from seed.

St. Augustine Grass

• Coarser in texture than Bermudagrass, this warm-season variety does not have to be mowed as often. St. Augustine grass has fair disease resistance and wear tolerance. It generally tolerates drought and grows in a variety of soils. It grows better in shade than Bermudagrass, but has poor cold-tolerance, making it best suited to the warmer parts of South Carolina. Establish St. Augustine Grass through sod, seeds or plugs.

Tall Fescue

• Tall fescue is a coarse- to-medium-textured, dark-colored grass that grows well under most conditions. Although not as tolerant of heat and drought as some other grasses, it is highly cold tolerant and fairly resistance to wear and disease. Tall fescue is a cool-season grass, so it is recommended only for South Carolina's mountain and Piedmont regions. This grass is usually established through seed.

Zoysiagrass

• Zoysiagrass requires high maintenance, but is also slow growing and does not need to be mowed often. A warm-season grower, zoysiagrass displays excellent tolerance of heat, drought, disease and wear. It is tolerant of cold and shade. Zoysiagrass has a medium-fine texture and medium-dark color. Establish it through seed, sod or plugs.