Turf Grass Species

Bluegrass

• Including the Kentucky bluegrass variety, bluegrass is one of the most popular natural turfs for lawns and yards. This grass ranges in color from a deep blue-green to a bright green. The species grows into thick patches of sod that make a crisscross pattern of blades on the ground. Of the natural turf grasses, bluegrass is one of the longest-lived and does not need to be reseeded for a number of years. Still, bluegrass is susceptible to illness, infestation, malnourishment and other problems faced by most grass, all of which can shorten its lifespan. Bluegrass requires regular watering and fertilizer to continue to flourish. This grass grows more slowly than other varieties, and because of this, it is often planted along with faster-growing species such as ryegrass.

Fescue

• Although tall fescue grass can be an invasive problem for lawns, fescue varieties such as red fescue and hard fescue are often used on lawns. Fescue grass is a cooler-season grass than grass species such as bluegrass. This makes fescue both more shade-tolerant and hardier in colder regions such as the northeastern United States. Additionally, many fescue varieties require less fertilizer and moisture than their counterparts, making them ideal for dry-climate lawns or poor soil areas. Fescue is also planted underneath trees and near walls because of its tolerance of shade.

Ryegrass

• Ryegrass, another cold-tolerant grass species, is not only used as turf for the lawn, but also for the sports arena. This grass is a stout and hearty plant that can grow up to 12 inches tall, but remains uniform and stiff even when cut very low to the ground. This species grows quickly after planting, with an early green season and, because of this, is often used in conjunction with later-growing grasses. Ryegrass is also used for grazing animals.

St. Augustine

• Also used in grazing pastures as well as the front lawn, St. Augustine grass is a coarse grass with short, folded blades that have a rounded tip. This grass is tolerant of shade but not cold and, because of this, is more popular in the southern states where the winters are mild. St. Augustine grass is very tolerant of heat and will retain its green color even during very high heat spells if well-watered. Unlike ryegrass, St. Augustine does not tolerate as much traffic and is used primarily as natural turf for lawns.