Kentucky bluegrass and Hybrid bluegrass

Casey Reynolds, PhD

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Latin Name: Poa pratensis L. and Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L.

Kentucky and Hybrid bluegrass Areas of Adaptation
Kentucky and Hybrid bluegrass Areas of Adaptation

Growth Habit: Rhizomatous

Vernation: Folded

Leaf: Smooth on both surfaces; two light lines adjacent to midvein; boat-shaped tip

Ligule: Short, membranous, truncate

Auricles: Absent

Inflorescence: Panicle

Description: Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season, fine-textured turfgrass that spreads by rhizomes. It typically has fine leaf texture and dark color which make it an appealing alternative to Tall fescue in the northern parts of Texas where cool-season turfgrasses can sometimes persist as perennials. It is often planted in conjunction with Tall fescue or as a component of many cool-season seed mixtures that contain Tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and/or annual ryegrass. These mixtures are most successful when planted in shaded areas where warm-season species may struggle, particularly in the northern parts of Texas. However, like all cool-season grasses its lack of heat and drought tolerance do not make it a widely planted turfgrass in Texas.

Strengths: Rhizomatous growth habit, shade tolerance, cold tolerance, and tolerates low mowing heights

Weaknesses: Poor heat and drought tolerance, disease incidence

Recommended Mowing Height: Home Lawns: 2 to 3.5 inches; Golf courses: 1.5 to 2.5 inches

Recommended Mowing Frequency: Home Lawns: Weekly using a rotary mower; Golf Courses: 2-3 times per week

Fertilization Requirements: 2 to 3 lbs N per 1,000 ft2 per year. Single application rates should range from 0.5 to 1 lb of N per 1,000 ft2 applied during the spring and fall growing season.

KBG-vernation2 KBG-vernation3 KBG-vernation KBG-ligule KBG-Leaf-Tip1 KBG-Leaf-Tip2 Profile Pic3

Kentucky and Hybrid bluegrass Varieties Available in Texas
Variety Latin Name Availability
Many available Poa pratensis L. Seed
Bella Poa pratensis L. Sod
Armadillo Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L. Seed
Bandera Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L. Seed
Dura Blue Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L. Seed
Fahrenheit 90 Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L. Seed
Fire and Ice Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L. Seed
Longhorn Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L. Seed
Reveille Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L. Seed/Sod
Solar Green Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L. Seed
Thermal Blue Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L. Seed
Thermal Blue Blaze Poa arachnifera Torr. x Poa pratensis L. Seed