Sapphire Vs. Palmetto St. Augustine Grass

Common Features

• Both Palmetto and Sapphire St. Augustine grasses create a spreading, thatched matrix of stolon stems and upright leaf blades in a lawn. They are good to plant in sandy, salty soils or near coastal beaches. Both demonstrate limited drought tolerance, even through Palmetto is marketed as being drought tolerant. Research at the University of Florida suggest Palmetto is no more drought tolerant compared to most St. Augustine grass selections on the market. Palmetto and Sapphire both succumb to the same pests and diseases common to all St. Augustine grasses: chinch bug and various fungal diseases that occur in wet, humid conditions. Neither holds up well to heavy, repeated foot or tire traffic, so do not use it on athletic fields or near playground equipment.

Features

• The look of Palmetto and Sapphire St. Augustine grass lawns differs, and supplies the primary base for quick comparison. Palmetto grass displays a wider and rather light green color compared to the average medium of most St. Augustine grasses. By contrast, Sapphire's leaf blades are narrower and often fold, creating a finer-textured look to the lawn. Leaf blades are deeper bluish green and rise from purplish stolons that sprawl across the soil.

Maintenance Insight

• Palmetto St. Augustine grass tolerates light shade better than Sapphire. Neither of these varieties excels in situations where too much shade exists or the soil is naturally soggy or bone dry. For the thickest density and lowest chances of weed infiltration, grow St. Augustine grass where it receives at least eight hours of direct sunshine daily. Mow Palmetto grass at a height of 3 to 4 inches for the richest color and texture, whereas Sapphire is mowed lower at a height of 2 to 2 1/2 inches to look and perform its best.

Selection Tip

• If your property includes some palms or trees that cast brief, light shade across the lawn, Palmetto makes a better choice. Palmetto grass is maintained at a higher mowing height, which creates a coarser lawn when walked on barefoot and may not yield as short and carpetlike a surface. Conversely, Sapphire is mowed at a lower height and has folded, more tapering leaves that look finer in texture, almost like a fescue. If you like the softer feel of grass in between your toes, and like a lower lawn carpet look, select Sapphire. Sapphire also grows faster and more aggressively in the heat and rains of summer, hastening any regrowth in the event of any bare patches or disease treatment.