Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), also known as blue grass, June grass, or Poa, is a perennial species of grass native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. It is extensively used as a turf grass, especially in cool and humid climates.
Kentucky bluegrass forms a thick, dense turf and has a bluish-green color. It spreads by both seeds and stolons and is wellknown for its ability to withstand heavy wear and tear, making it ideal for residential and commercial lawns.
It has a relatively high tolerance for cold temperatures, so it can be found growing all the way from Canada to México. However, it has a low tolerance for drought, so it’s important to provide enough water to keep the lawn healthy.
Additionally, Kentucky bluegrass needs regular fertilization in order to remain vigorous and green, and it should be mowed regularly as well. All in all, Kentucky bluegrass is a great choice for a lawn if properly maintained.
What kind of grass is Kentucky blue?
Kentucky blue is an ornamental grass that belongs to the species of turf-type tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea. It is a common, low-maintenance grass with shades of blue-green and dark green to maroon foliage, depending on the variety.
Kentucky blue is known for its increased heat and drought tolerance and can be used in a variety of climates. Kentucky blue is fast growing and can spread rapidly, making it the ideal choice for lawns and landscaping.
It requires minimal fertilization, making it more economical than other types of grass and has the ability to easily rebound from periods of drought or heat. Kentucky blue is also very cold-hardy, making it a great choice for lawns in cold climates as well as lawns located in growing regions.
What is another name for Kentucky bluegrass?
The scientific name for Kentucky bluegrass is Poa pratensis. Kentucky bluegrass is an extremely popular cool-season grass, widely used in home lawns, parks, golf courses, and athletic fields. It has excellent drought tolerance and is extremely cold hardy, making it suitable for many climates.
Kentucky bluegrass is also known by many other names including, European Daisy, Norway Bluegrass, Junegrass, Diamond Grass, and Lawn Grass.
Does Kentucky bluegrass stay green in winter?
Yes, Kentucky bluegrass is largely able to remain green year-round. It is a cool season grass, meaning it is adapted to the temperatures of cooler climates. It’s able to tolerate cold temperatures better than warm temperatures, and if the temperatures get too warm the grass will go dormant and the color will fade.
It is able to go dormant and then bounce back as soon as temperatures become cooler again. Kentucky bluegrass will also remain green in winter, as long as it is provided with adequate water and protection from frost.
When grown in a well-maintained, healthy lawn, Kentucky bluegrass is able to survive even in cold winter climates to provide a green, lush lawn year-round.
What grass is native to North America?
Native grasses that are found in North America come from a variety of habitats and climates, ranging from cool temperate rain forests to dry desert regions. Some of the most common native grasses in the continent include:
Tallgrass Prairies: Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Fescue Prairies: Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis),needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata), Thurber Needlegrass (Stipa thurberiana).
Deer Grass: Delarbrea maritima
Great Plains: buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithi)
Forests: Blue Fescue (Festuca octoflora), creeping Red Fescue (Festuca rubra)
Deserts: Nodding Needlegrass (Stipa cernua), Purple Threeawn (Aristida purpurea).
In addition to these native grasses, there are numerous non-native grass varieties that have been introduced to North America, including Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), and Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra).
How long does it take to grow Kentucky bluegrass?
It usually takes Kentucky bluegrass 8 to 15 days to germinate, depending on air and soil temperatures, soil fertility and soil moisture. As a cool-season grass, it prefers temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit for optimum growth.
After germination and emergence, it takes about one month for the grass to become thick enough for traffic and mowing. However, in most cases, complete establishment of Kentucky bluegrass takes a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months.
During establishment, it’s important to provide regular mowing and adequate watering with good drainage. The grass should be mowed regularly at a height of 2. 5 to 4 inches, and water it deeply at least once a week.
Too much water and fertilizer can cause the plants to burn and die, so should be avoided. All in all, it typically takes 6 to 12 months for Kentucky bluegrass to become fully established, provided that the proper temperature, soil moisture, fertility, drainage and mowing requirements are met.
How much shade can Kentucky bluegrass tolerate?
Kentucky bluegrass does well in full sun, but can tolerate some shade. It will not do as well in heavy shade or under trees that have dense canopies. In such conditions, it will tend to thin out and lose its color.
To keep it looking its best, it is best to give it at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. In areas that receive less than six hours, find an area that gets more sun or mix in other grasses, such as perennial ryegrass and fescue, that can tolerate more shade.
How many hours of sun does Kentucky bluegrass need?
Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass that requires full sun or partial shade to thrive. It prefers full sun in spring and fall and partial or filtered sun during the hottest parts of the day. On average, Kentucky bluegrass needs about 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day to remain healthy, although it can survive with just 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight during the summer months.
As a result, it is best suited to parts of the country that get a lot of sunlight, such as the Midwest and parts of the western United States.
Does KBG need full sun?
KGB (or Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’) is a low-growing, drought-tolerant groundcover that prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some light shade, but it won’t perform as well as in full sun.
KGB grows as a mat of foliage that produces reddish-pink flowers in the summer. In full sun, the foliage will deepen to a deep green and the flowers will look more vibrant and abundant. Furthermore, this plant is quite drought tolerant and will fare better in full sun where the soil dries out faster and doesn’t encourage fungal diseases or other moisture-related problems.
Outdoor spaces in USDA Hardiness Zones 2–9 are ideal for KGB.
Which grass seed grows in shade?
When looking to sow grass seed in partial or full shade, shade-tolerant grasses such as perennial ryegrass, finely-textured fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass are best suited to do the job. All three of these grasses tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions and can be grown in shady areas that receive two to four hours of sunlight each day.
Perennial ryegrass is a popular pick for shady areas due to its rapid germination and dense, fine texture. It is not, however, a heat-tolerant grass and may require more frequent mowing. Finely-textured fescue is the most shade tolerant of the three options, and its slow growth rate helps control weed growth.
While Kentucky bluegrass is slower to germinate than the other options and may require additional care, it is an excellent choice for growing in shady locations.
When choosing the appropriate grass seed to grow in shade, soil pH and climate are also important considerations. Grass grown in a region with cooling summers, such as the Pacific Northwest, which often receive heavy rainfall, may need a particular combination of shade- and drought-tolerant grasses.
Replacing turf a once-shady area that now receives more sunlight with a more sun-tolerant variety can also prove beneficial.
No matter the grass species chosen, it’s essential to prepare the soil beforehand. Before planting, rake the area to remove all debris, topdress the soil with a 1/2-inch layer of rich compost and/or manure, and water the seed to a depth of 3 to 4 inches.
Additionally, fertilize and water regularly so grass seedlings can take root and become well established.
Will Texas bluegrass grow in shade?
Yes, Texas bluegrass (Poa arachnifera, also called San Angelo or Texas common) is adaptable to a range of growing conditions, including shade. It does best in full sun, but if the shade is light, Texas bluegrass can still do well in those areas.
Texas bluegrass is a bunch-type grass, so it does not send out aggressive rhizomes to compete with more shade-tolerant grasses like fescues. It does prefer moist soil conditions, but once it’s established, it will tolerate drier conditions better than fescues.
Texas bluegrass is a durable grass that is cold and drought tolerant, and it will not suffer from most diseases and insect pests. Additionally, Texas bluegrass lays down a dense turf with a low maintenance requirement.
Finally, Texas bluegrass is well-suited to shady areas as its dense canopy tolerates lower light levels better than other species.