Low-Growing Sturdy Grass

Buffalo Grass

• Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides ) is a tough native, warm-season grass found growing from central Montana down into Arizona. It eventually forms a dense matted turf, spreading rapidly from surface runners once established. Buffalo grass will grow to 4 inches high with minimal watering and can be kept mowed to a shorter height. Buffalo grass lawns take two seasons to fill in from seed, or the lawn can be started from plugs. Protect flowerbeds from invading runners. "Prestige" is a hybrid developed for hot, humid regions. "UC Verde" was developed for the desert southwest. "Legacy" is an improved turf variety developed by the University of Nebraska.

Fescue Grasses

• Fescue (Festuca) grasses withstand drought and cold conditions. Tall fescue (F.arundinacea) is used in lawns and athletic fields. It creates a dense, traffic-tolerant lawn. Left unmowed, tall fescue grows to 4 feet high. It is kept mowed to 2 to 4 inches for common usage. F. rubra, red fescue, is a tough, shade-tolerant grass. Red fescue is used to overseed Bermuda grass in winter and is included in various seed mixtures, contributing shade tolerance to lawns. It is grown alone as a sturdy lawn grass with low-irrigation requirements. Keep red fescue mowed to just under 2 inches.

Grama Grasses

• Bouteloua is grama grass, a native of North American grasslands. Grama grasses are tough plants tolerant of heat, cold and drought. Blue grama (B. gracilis ) grows to 2 feet high left unmowed in lawns or as landscape subjects. For a sturdy low-water-use lawn, keep it mowed to 1.5 inches high. Once established, blue grama grass needs no irrigation.

Warm Region Grasses

• Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a subtropical, fine-textured grass that spreads rapidly by both surface and underground runners. This very sturdy grass is suitable for large areas away from flowerbeds. It requires feeding and regular mowing. Dethatch regularly to keep the old matted underlayer of stems removed. Hybrid varieties hold color longer in the season and are easier to contain. "Tifdwarf" is a very low, dense grower. "Santa Ana" takes very hard wear. Zoysia grasses are deeply-rooted, slow-growing Asian natives. Zoysia grasses go dormant in winter.

Grass Seed Mixtures

• Regionally-specific grass seed mixtures are available at local nurseries and home centers. Online sources provide a wide variety of mixtures developed for high-traffic or low-maintenance situations where sturdy grass is required. Seed mixture products are available to produce evergreen or seasonal lawns. Seed mixtures are used to refresh existing lawns. Consult your local nursery or a reputable online dealer for guidance.