Grass Seeds That Grow Best in the Northeast

Bluegrass

• Bluegrass doesn't just thrive in Kentucky -- and it's actually a dark green color. Plant this grass in areas of full sun or partial shade. Bluegrass can tolerate the cold winters of the Northeast and doesn't grow well in excessive heat. Bluegrass is often mixed with ryegrass to ensure year-round color.

Perennial Ryegrass

• Plant ryegrass where it will get full sun and in areas with moderate temperatures. It does particularly well in coastal areas. The shiny lime-green blades hold their color during the winter when warm-season grasses go dormant. Ryegrass wears well in high-traffic areas, like schools and yards in which children play.

Tall Fescue

• Unlike many of the cool-season grasses, tall fescue isn't a sun worshiper and will grow well in shaded areas. It will stay green through the winter if the weather isn't too severe. Tall fescue is a low-maintenance grass, which doesn't need watering or mowing as often as many other types. It also resists weeds and pests well.

Creeping Bentgrass

• Creeping bentgrass is most often found on golf courses, putting greens, tennis courts and other areas that need a smooth grassy surface in the Northeast. It grows best in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil that is frequently watered. Bentgrass can also thrive in sandy soils. Because it grows so aggressively, it can take over lawns that are grown with a variety of grass seeds.