Grasses That Grow in Full Shade

Fescue

• Fescue is one of the best grasses to grow in shade. It can be drought tolerant and grows lush and green when healthy. Fescue prefers well-draining soil. It can tolerate drought conditions but not overly wet soil. Fescue is best used in cooler climates, but its ability to adapt to most conditions makes it viable for uses in warmer regions as well. For more tolerance to shady areas, consider tall fescue grasses over fine fescue species.

St. Augustine

• St. Augustine grass is a warm-weather grass that is native to Australia, the Caribbean, southern Africa and the Gulf states of the United States. It has wide blades and can tolerate many soil types, but St. Augustine grass prefers wet soils. Although it is usually sown from plugs or laid as sod, several companies are perfecting seed blends that include this type of grass seed. It was once only grown along coasts as a pastern grass and near rivers, swamps and lakes, but with modern irrigation it has gained popularity in other warm areas.

Bent Grass

• Bent grasses come in three types -- creeping, colonial and velvet -- with the creeping variety being the most popular among homeowners. It is a cool-weather grass that is planted either by seed or as sod in most northern climates. It is also a low-growing grass, with a deep green color, giving a yard the appearance of a golf course lawn. Bent grass has higher maintenance needs than many other shade grasses, but the extra work gives your lawn a lush, manicured look. The colonial variety earned its name from the colonists who brought seed of the grass from Europe to replicate the lush lawns of their homeland. Velvet bent grass is one of the oldest grasses used in golf courses in Europe. Its main use is on easier putting greens, because it has a greater tolerance to be cut shorter, making a smoother green.

Zoysia

• Zoysia grass is native to Southeast Asia, Japan and China. It is a warm-season grass, but some varieties can be grown in cooler areas. It is slow to start a lawn with zoysia, but once it is established the grass crowds out weeds, making it a desirable choice for low-maintenance lawns. Zoysia is a low-growing, wiry grass that may be uncomfortable for bare feet. "Manila zoysia" is the best zoysia variety for shady conditions, but all varieties withstand shade in warmer climates. The cooler-climate hybrids are not shade tolerant, because they require the extra sun to make up for the colder conditions. Zoysia characteristically has a lush green color, but when the weather grows colder it turns golden, going dormant for winter.