Will St. Augustine Grass Grow in the Mid-South?

Location

• Best suited for subtropical climates. St. Augustine grass is found in the more northern parts of the mid-South. This includes the eastern part of Texas, all of Louisiana and across the central parts of states like Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. It grows in the eastern half of South Carolina and coastal areas of North Carolina. St. Augustine grass also grows in the southern parts of all of these states and thrives in areas near the Gulf of Mexico.

Characteristics

• St. Augustine is one of the most shade-tolerant of all the warm-weather grasses. It is an attractive grass for lawns with its coarse dark bluish-green leaves that have wide blades. St. Augustine tolerates high temperatures and full sunlight. It thrives in areas that receive at least an average amount of water. It does not do well when the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. St. Augustine is considered fairly durable with the ability to handle medium amounts of foot traffic. In inland areas of the southern states where rainfall may not be as bountiful, watering St. Augustine grass may be required.

Planting and Growth

• St. Augustine spreads with long above-ground runners and stolons. It is an aggressive grass that also has the ability to adapt to different types of soil. It does not produce a lot in the way of seeds, which means it's usually planted by sod, sprigs or plugs. The Seedland website says St. Augustine seeds are in high demand, but not readily available. It forms a dense turf that is good at choking off weeds in the area. St. Augustine grass will also overtake any other grasses in the surrounding vicinity.

Varieties

• St. Augustine grass comes in many varieties, so consult a local nursery to find out which is the best one for your area. Varieties of St. Augustine include Bitterblue, Floratam, Palmetto, Sapphire, Floralawn, Raleigh, Common, Jade, Floratine and Seville. For homeowners in the mid-South, Bitter Blue is a good choice because it has improved cold-weather tolerance. Raleigh is also more cold-hardy than other varieties and grows well in heavy soil that contains clay.