Different Types Of Grass
A Quick Guide to the Different Types of Grass
Any gardener or landscaper can tell you that there are many different types of grass. Depending on what the needs are of your project, one type might be preferable over another.
The different types of grass spread either by creeping or tillering. Grasses that spread by creeping are generally warm season grasses. These send roots called rhizomes or stolons along the ground. Plants grow out of these. The grasses that spread by tillering are called “bunch” grasses and grow from a central root.
The blade width of the grass determines the look of the grass. Those with narrow leaves are referred to as “fine textured” grasses while those with wide blades are “rough.” The type of grass that you choose depends on the look that you want your lawn or garden to have, as well as the climate of your land, too.
Some warm season grasses include Bahia grass, buffalo grass, Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, and zoysia grass. Bahiagrass is good for soils that are sandy and acidic, while buffalo grass does not require a lot of maintenance and upkeep. Both buffalo and Bermuda grass are tolerant to drought, which is helpful if you live in an area that sometimes suffers from lack of precipitation.
Some cool season grasses are Kentucky bluegrass, red fescue, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue, and tall fescue. Kentucky bluegrass gives off a bluish tint from a distance and is a very resilient grass. Both tall fescue and red fescue are tolerant to shade and drought.
Cool season grasses tend to do better in regions where the temperatures are mild. If they are grown in areas where the weather gets too hot, they can turn brown and die. On the other hand, warm season grasses do better in areas that receive high temperatures. They are very durable, but typically cannot be planted fro seeds and also have a stronger predisposition to grow weeds, too.
There are also what are known as transition zone grasses that are found in areas between the north and the south. Two popular transition zone grasses are thermal blue and tall fescue. Thermal blue grass combines fall fescue, which can be turf-like, and Kentucky bluegrass. It is tolerant to some diseases and can withstand both shade and heat. Tall fescue grows during the spring and fall and is perennial. It’s a good choice for areas that see a lot of traffic, as well as areas that receive shade, too.
Most lawn grasses are perennial, meaning that you don’t have to replant them every year. Although they might go into dormancy when the weather turns cold, they will come back in the spring and continue to live.
Still, ryegrass is sometimes used in warm season grasses for over seeding purposes. It is an annual grass which means that it needs to be replanted every season. For that reason, many people prefer not to use it unless they have to. When used, it can do a good job of covering a slope or an area that needs coverage immediately since it grows quickly. It does not do that well in areas that get either very hot or very cold, however.
If you purchase commercial grass then you will probably find that it contains a mixture of grasses. These are good because all of the different types of grass will have their own individual strengths that can be beneficial when it comes to growing and surviving. You might also find, however, that blends can be sold as well. These are not always as effective since blends are different varieties of the same type of grass, yet they might appear more aesthetic.