Creeping bentgrass

Latin Name: Agrostis stolonifera L.

Growth Habit: Stoloniferous

Vernation: Rolled

Leaf: Ridges on upper surface; smooth on lower surface

Ligule: Membranous, finely toothed or entire, rounded

Auricles: Absent

Inflorescence: Panicle

Description: Creeping bentgrass is a cool-season turfgrass with extremely fine-texture that spreads laterally by stolons and is capable of tolerating very low mowing heights (≤ 0.125 inches). However, it requires intensive management to be successful and as a result, it is used in Texas almost exclusively on golf course putting greens.

Strengths: Shade tolerance, cold tolerance, traffic tolerance, and good recuperative potential due to its stoloniferous growth habit. It can also tolerate extremely low mowing heights.

Weaknesses: Disease incidence, poor heat and drought tolerance, and requires intensive management.

Recommended Mowing Height: Golf course fairways and tee boxes: ≤ 0.5 inches (Reel mower); golf course putting greens: ≤ 0.125 inches (Reel mower).

Recommended Mowing Frequency: Daily using a reel mower

Fertilization Requirements: 3 to 5 lbs N per 1,000 ft² per year. Single application rates should range from 0.1 to 0.5 lb of N per 1,000 ft² applied during the spring and fall growing season.