2 Types of Perennial Grasses

Identification

• St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a perennial grass with a vigorous growth habit. The grass is a native of the warm, tropical regions around the world and grows on beach ridges and on the banks of lagoons and swamps in its native habitat. Buffalo grass is a native grass of the United States, growing naturally in the Great Plains region. The warm-season perennial was the main source for the sod that the early settlers used when building their homes.

Description

• With its broad blades and a medium green color, St. Augustine grass has stolons that root at the nodes. The folded leaf blades have rounded tips and grow into a thick turf. Buffalo grass is fine textured with curling, bluish-green blades. Though the mature height of grass is 8 to 10 inches, the naturally drooping growth of the blades gives the grass a shorter look.

Growth Habits

• St. Augustine grass has a matlike, low growth and spreads with a creeping growth habit. The grass has a rapid growth rate during summer that slows as the weather gets cooler. The dormant period of the grass starts from late fall and lasts until early spring. Buffalo grass also spreads with stolons that produce roots and new stems at every node. The turf is relatively thinner as compared to St. Augustine grass.

Cultural Requirements

• Being a warm-season grass, St. Augustine grass is best adapted to regions with hot, humid weather. The grass has a moderate water requirement, is well resistant to pests and performs well with high levels of nitrogen fertilizer annually. St. Augustine grass is highly tolerant of salt and drought but is not well-suited for high traffic areas. Buffalo grass is among the most low maintenance and most drought tolerant of perennial grasses. The grass has an extended winter dormancy and this trait often limits its selection. Buffalo grass has minimal requirement of fertilizer and mowing and is highly tolerant of shade.