Hybrid Grass Seed for a Partial Shade Lawn

Fescue

• Tall fescues are common lawn grasses that are often combined with Kentucky bluegrass and rye varieties. They are more shade-tolerant than other cool-season grasses. Creeping red fescue in particular does well in shady areas. Fescues grow slowly, reducing their mowing requirements. Most varieties tolerate heat and drought. The creeping red fescue Lustrous variety is dark green with a fine texture and does especially well in shady spots

St. Augustine

• St. Augustine is a staple turf grass in hot, dry areas of the country, including the West and the South. It is coarse textured with broad, blunt blades. It has deep roots, allowing it to withstand drought conditions. St. Augustine tolerates foot traffic and resists disease and insect damage. The Sunclipse hybrid is a semidwarf variety that does well in both sunny and shady areas.

Zoysia

• Zoysia grasses are attractive and fine textured but are dormant longer than other grasses and are green for a relatively small part of the year. Zoysia grows slowly and does not grow well from seed. It is tough once established, but does not easily grow back if damaged. Zen 300 and Zenith are improved hybrids with fewer of zoysia's typical shortcomings. All varieties tolerate partial shade in warm climates. There are better choices for areas with colder temperatures.

Bahia

• Bahia is a common Southern turf grass. It is a coarse, fast-growing grass that is heat and drought tolerant. Because it grows quickly, Bahia requires frequent mowing. It produces abundant seedheads that many homeowners find unattractive. Pensacola is more attractive than other Bahia varieties, and it tolerates cooler climates. Although better suited to pastures than lawns, Bahia is a shade-tolerant grass that does especially well in sandy or acidic soils.