Lawn and Grass Varieties

lawn and grass varieties tall grass
When deciding how to landscape a yard and design a garden, one of the first choices to make is the type of grass you will use. The best grass varieties for you will depend on where you live, the climate, what your lawn will be exposed to, humidity and more.
 

Advances in Lawn Care 
Many new types of lawn grass are technologically designed to:
  • have less need for fertilizers or pesticides
  • require less maintenance
  • withstand heat more effectively.
 
Landscaping Northern Lawns
Northern lawns are generally made up of mixes or blends of lawn seeds. The most popular grass and turf varieties in the northern climates include:
  • fine fescue
  • Kentucky bluegrass
  • perennial ryegrass
  • tall fescue.
Fine fescue is known for its drought resistance and shade tolerance. Fine fescues are often mixed with Kentucky bluegrass.
 
Kentucky bluegrass is the most popular and basic grass type. New varieties of Kentucky bluegrass are known for heat, drought, insect and disease resistance. It is also effective at crowding out weeds.
 
Perennial ryegrass is classified as a type of turf and is very versatile. Ryegrass germinates very quickly and has a good tolerance to wear.
 
Tall fescues have good heat and drought resistance. These varieties are known for their long root systems.

Landscaping Southern Lawns

Southern lawn land varieties are generally chosen based on the amount of sun a lawn will receive. The most popular grass and turf varieties in southern climates include:
  • bermuda grass
  • buffalo grass
  • carpet grass
  • centipede grass
  • St. Augustine
  • tall fescue
  • zoysia.
Bermuda grass is a warm season grass that has little tolerance to shade. This grass variety has low watering and maintenance needs. Varieties of bermuda grass are commonly used on golf courses.
 
Buffalo grass is not as dense as most grasses and will not grow higher than 4 or 5 inches. It has low watering and maintenance needs but also has very little shade tolerance.
 
Carpet grass grows best on low, wet soils. This lawn variety can flourish in either sun or shade.
 
Centipede grass does well in a number of climates, including cold, but is considered to be a slightly lower quality turf.
 
St. Augustine is a very popular lawn variety that works well in both sun and shade. It has a wider leaf blade than most varieties.
 
Zoysia grass is mildly shade tolerant. It is the most cold tolerant of the southern grass varieties. Zoysia grass is not very drought tolerant, but it adapts well in dry conditions.

Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grass can be grown in either the north or south. It is very easy to grow, and even when it gets too long it appears healthy and lush.
 
Ornamental grass is divided into two groups:
  • Cool season: blue oat grass, fescues and tufted hair grass.
  • Warm season: hardy pampas grass, Japanese silver grass and switch grass.
Bent grass is another type of cool season grass. It grows well in humid environments and has a shallow root system.

AstroTurf®

AstroTurf®, also known as artificial grass or artificial turf, is a type of grass made of synthetic materials. Upkeep is minimal on AstroTurf®, though initial setup can be quite expensive.
 
Resources
 
Better Lawn and Turf Institute Staff. (n.d.). How to select the best grass for northern lawns. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from the BLTI Web site: http://www.turfgrasssod.org/lawninstitute/northern_lawns.htm.

Better Lawn and Turf Institute Staff. (n.d.). How to select the best grass for southern lawns. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from the BLTI Web site: http://www.turfgrasssod.org/lawninstitute/southern_lawns.htm.

Greenwood Nursery Staff. (2007). Ornamental grasses add year-long garden pleasures. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from the Greenwood Nursery Web site: http://www.landsteward.org/page.cfm/19162.