Even overseeding an existing sod lawn can help it resist foot traffic and adapt better to site conditions. How can you know what to pick? There are a number of reasons why you may have a wet lawn. St. Augustine grass is identified by its broad, flat blades that are a dark green color. Buffalo is a hardy grass that grows well in the sun and shade, whereas LM Berea is well suited for shady areas. Due to the delicate grass leaves, it’s best not to grow fine fescue grass in high-traffic areas. Good choice right? Blades are flat and gently taper to a point. And if you’re creating sowing a new lawn from scratch or overseeding an existing one, you’ll be able to choose the best grass seed for the job. Looking at pictures of sod or turfgrass, it’s easy to think that all grasses look the same. It grows low and is a very low maintenance turfgrass. It is named Kentucky grass because it was a popular perennial lawn and pasture grass in the state. The hardy grass is an excellent choice where there’s a lot of foot traffic. Mealybugs on Plants: Effective Ways to Kill These White Bugs, The 14 Most Beautiful Aquatic Flowers to Grow in Water, The Best Water Plants: Aquatic Plants for Ponds (Indoors and Outdoors), Types of Forests (Forest Biome): Temperate, Tropical, Boreal, and More, Different Types of Lawn Grass: Identification Guide to Many Types of Sod (With Pictures), Great Mulch Alternatives (Also Cheap or Free). What are the most common types of grass found in American lawns? This versatile lawn grass creates a beautiful turfgrass in warm regions and also the transition zone. Some of the most popular kinds of warm-season grasses are: Features of common types of cold season grasses: Fescue grass (zones 4-7)—Types of fescue grass that grow in cold regions include tall fescue, fine fescue, creeping fescue, and hard fescue. You can plant this grass in poor soil that is sandy or acidic. These grasses grow very poorly in the shade. Kentucky bluegrass (zones 2-6)—Dark green turfgrass with pointed tips identify this type of grass that grows well in cold regions and the transition zone. Is there adequate sunlight in the garden space to support shade-intolerant varieties? Popular types of cold season grasses include tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, rough bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. Tall fescue grass is characterized by its clumping growth habit and deep roots. The grass names also indicate something about their growth habit and appearance. Also, tall fescue turfgrass is more robust than its “finer” counterpart and requires less maintenance. During the growing season, you’ll need to mow the lawn frequently. If you live near coastal areas, it is better to plant St. Augustine or Bermuda grass because those grass species are more resistant to salt. In fact, you may only need to mow your lawn once a month and just water occasionally. Very sensitive to chemical weed controls. It’s an excellent turfgrass for sports fields and golf courses. The thin flat blades measure about 0.07” (2 mm) wide. Fine Fescue Kentucky Bluegrass Ryegrass Tall Fescue Bahia There are five species of fine fescue grasses that include: Species of fescue are used for lush lawns, sports fields, parks, and to prevent soil erosion. Kikuyu Grass Pennisetum Clandestinum Kikuyu grass is native to the highland regions of East Africa. Common Grass Types in Australia. Tall fescue grass is a cool-season perennial lawn grass that grows in a wide range of conditions. The most important factor to consider in selecting a lawn grass is its ability to survive the intended use of the yard. Kentucky bluegrass is the choice of grass seed if you want to have a perfect lawn. Compared to other species of grasses such as tall fescue, KBG is a slow-growing grass. The best type of climate for perennial ryegrass is one with mild summers and cold winters. Grasses suitable for cold regions are species of grass that grow exceptionally well in colder northern states. Centipede grass (zones 7-10)—This grass variety has thin blades of grass with a coarse texture. The growth period for these cold-hardy grass types is in fall and spring. Unfortunately, sod growers produce only the most popular varieties which, except for a few, are mono-cultures. Zoysia turfgrass has excellent heat and cold tolerance, which means it thrives in many climates. Also, the turf doesn’t grow well if there is heavy foot traffic, or it’s planted in shaded areas. Even in poor soil conditions, Bermuda grass grows well. This is also a popular grass type of pastures. Fine fescue grass has some of the narrowest blades of grass with leaves being less than 1.5 mm wide. St. Augustine lawn grass is identified by its broad leaf and rounded blade tips. Lawns made up of mixed varieties can improve hardiness. It is tough and has more of a rough texture than most other turfgrass and can combat weeds and pests relatively well. But the beautiful turf grass can look stunning in a well-manicured lawn as you can mow the grass to a very short height. Perennial ryegrass is a fast-growing grass that quickly grows from seed. Excellent for sod or turfgrass in areas with sandy, acidic soils. This turfgrass is a popular, all-around grass that is used for lawns, golf course fairways, and other places subject to high traffic. Characteristics: Warm-season grass - fine to medium leaf texture, dark green, dense and low growing via rhizomes and stolons some varieties tolerate very low maintenance, while others produce lawns of exceptional beauty when given extra care - root system is extensive and very deep. The deep root system gives this grass species the ability to withstand droughts. Kikuyu is most well known for being a highly invasive and aggressive grower and it is this trait that makes it suitable in some cases as a home lawn. Bluegrass and fescue blends help each other adapt to site conditions. This is one of the yard grass types that people choose when they value appearance above all else. If you are looking for a good type of grass for a beautiful lawn, then fine fescue is a great choice. The unique feature of fescue grasses that makes them so hardy is their clumping growth nature. Grass blades are hairless and measure up to 0.23” (6 mm) wide. A warm-season grass with a high shade tolerance is St. Augustine. Different types of grass are suitable for various climates—warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses. Popular types of grass include Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, centipede grass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue lawn grass. These types of grasses are referred to as "cool-season" grasses and stay green year-round in temperate climates. Which types of grass are best for cold climates? Fescues' nontrailing growth habit can often make maintenance easier because these lawns stay in the space for which they were intended and do not invade adjacent planters. In this grass image: Zoysia japonica ‘Compadre’. Thanks to its thick growth, it forms a dense mat of lush turfgrass. Bermuda grass is a grayish-green color and has short flat blades with rough edges. Trails aggressively; weekly edging required. The thin grass blades grow well in full sun and are also tolerant of medium shade. However, the depth of greenness in lush Kentucky bluegrass lawns is worth the extra work. Zoysia grass has stiff leaves that form dense, lush lawns and greens. However, it doesn’t have such a deep luscious green color as other types of lawn grass. Growing in sunny locations, this fast-growing lawn grass quickly forms a dense mat of green. The sod also grows in a wide range of soil types, making it suitable for warm-season lawn grass in many tropical areas. Also, when Ryegr… The short blades of grass also mean that this type of grass is easy to care for in hot climates. The hardiness of this sod grass comes from the fact it has a large root system—deeper than any of the other cold season grasses on this list. All this name calling can be confusing. var theDate=new Date() Probably one of the most widely known lawn grass types, St. Augustine grass is a warm season perennial grass that is as common on golf courses as it is in community parks and soccer fields. This resilient grass type needs to grow in soil with good drainage. As an example, let's say you want to use a "tough" grass to accommodate an active sports playing family. In North America, fescue is one of the most widespread pasture grasses for high-quality animal feed. They also are very salt tolerant and do not burn easily from pet urine (high in salts and nitrogen). Another way to identify the type of grass is by its new shoots that grow (stolons). Knowing how to identify and choose the right type of lawn grass is vital to get a lush, healthy turfgrass in your yard. A good example of a high-traffic blend is a "sports field" seed mixture containing a Bermuda grass and turf-type perennial rye grass (which tolerates shorter mowing heights). Bentgrass (zones 4-6)—This is a finely-textured type cold season grass that is popular for lush lawns and golf courses. LandscapingNetwork.Com - All Rights Reserved. document.write(theDate.getFullYear()) Other shade grasses are that of St. Augustine and Fescue types. So, this is often the species of grass used in tennis courts and golf course greens. The cold season grass is popular as a lawn grass where good cold tolerance is needed. Fortunately, these unsightly spots are easy to seed and repair. When grown as a lawn grass, buffalo grass cultivars form a fine turf. Bahiagrass—also called common Bahia—is a warm-season perennial grass that grows in subtropical climates. Warm season lawn grass types include St. Augustine grass, Bermuda grass and centipede grass. When cutting Ryegrass with a sharp blade, a white color is left on top of each blade of grass. So there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when choosing a new lawn. Not all lawns are the perfectly-manicured ones of legend. Warm-season grasses grow best in hot weather and turn brown in winter. *The performance of these grasses can be enhanced by mixing with other grass varieties. Different Types Of Grass – Shade Green Buffalo and LM Berea are the two shade grasses most often used in South Africa. For sunny areas where winter dormancy is acceptable, the best lawns are warm-season turf varieties like Bermuda, hybrid Bermuda, kikuyu and zoysias. In some cases, like dichondra, your lawns may not be a grass at all. The popular grass has a soft feel and fine texture that creates a lush, dense mat. The grass blades grow up to 8” (20 cm) long and are about 0.12” to 0.2” (3 – 5 mm) broad with a smooth texture. Buffalo Grass; Zoysia … Bahiagrass is a low-growing grass that spreads via creeping stolons. Centipede grass is a low maintenance type of grass that grown well in warm zones. However, due to its short growth, Buffalo grass tends to get weeds such as crabgrass and broadleaf weeds. Cold-season grasses grow best in cool climates and fade when the weather gets hot. You can tell this species of turf by the medium-length blades that are thin and lanceolate shaped. Warm-season grasses are characterized by being drought- and heat-resistant and they grow well in full sun. Using seed species ensures you get better establishment and a healthier looking lawn. Generally, the hardiest grasses for cold climates stay green even through harsh winters. This grass can actually fill in bare spots more quickly because it spreads by rhizomes (a horizontal underground stem that sends out its own roots and shoots) and tillers to create a dense sod lawn. There are around 12,000 different types of grass in the botanical family Poaceae. This is an important consideration if you share your yard with a pet. As such, they are appropriate for low to medium foot traffic. This picture shows the tufted nature of sheep fescue grass, which is a species of fine fescue grass. Centipede grass is a popular grass in southeastern states with homeowners who want lush green lawns throughout the summer. This type of turfgrass is an excellent choice for a robust, healthy lawn if you live in temperate climates. For sites with mixed conditions, planting your lawn with seed instead of sod may be your best bet. The ideal temperature range for cold season grasses is between 65°F and 80°F (18°C – 26°C). Most sites are a mix of conditions, so a suitable grass would logically be a mix of grass varieties. Generally, warm-season turfgrass varieties grow best in southern states and cool-season lawn grass types grow well in northern states. Examples of warm-season grasses include centipede grass, bahiagrass, and Bermuda grass. This type of grass has been called the “lazy man’s grass” because it is easy to care for. The best climate to plant buffalo grass in a yard is in high sun, low rainfall areas. To help keep a lawn looking lush and green throughout the year, you could plant it with cool-season ryegrass. Mow your grass around 3-3.5 inches: This will reduce the possibility of weed seeds germinating. Read on to find out the botanical names of grasses, see pictures, and read descriptions of the most popular types of grass. The fine texture of this luscious lawn grass means it’s suitable for turf where sports are played. Here are a few factors to consider when planning a beautiful lawn for your garden landscape: As most sites are a mixture of conditions, you can also find a mixture of grass varieties or complementary grasses to improve hardiness. Bahiagrass is a lawn grass grown in warm areas and is low maintenance type of grass. You may see the grass seed or sod marketed as KBG. High rainfall tends to cause weeds to sprout quickly. Grass Varieties BERMUDAGRASS. Being a low-maintenance lawn grass, it is the choice of sod for many homeowners. A common tall fescue lawn grass cultivar is Kentucky 31. The lush dark green color of this grass is very nice and it is going to help to bring out the true potential of your property. For better fill-in properties, add 15% Kentucky Bluegrass. Centipede grass is a medium to light green color. You can identify this grass by its flat, folded blades that taper to a point. • Layer on top. Other names for this grass include English ryegrass, ray grass, or winter grass. Whereas in the north, grasses that can weather harsh winters and cooler spring and fall seasons flourish best. The grass grows thick and green and keeps its color for most of the year. Depending on which area of the country you live, your lawn will most likely have different types of grasses. This dense lawn grass grows well in full sun and can also stand light to medium shade. You'll also have to consider whether you want to plant grass seed or have sod installed for an instant lawn. The Grounds Guys® is a team of knowledgeable, experienced landscape professionals that can help you decide which type of grass is best for you, with services to keep your lawn and landscaping looking its best all year round. The most common types of grass are Bahia, Bent, Bermuda, Buffalo, Carpet, Centipede, Fescue, Kentucky Blue, Pasplum, Rye, St. Augustine and Zoysia. The hardy turfgrass grows in most soil condition, it is shade- and cold-tolerant, and doesn’t require much maintenance. 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