Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a modern high-performance 'Midnight' type cultivar, known for its deep dark green color and fine texture.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 7. Excellent cold tolerance; enters winter dormancy and may turn brown in extreme heat or drought.
About This Grass
A dense, high-quality turfgrass with a soft texture and deep blue-green color. It maintains a lush appearance and is highly valued for its ability to fill in bare spots through rhizome activity. Seed heads are panicles, though rarely seen in maintained lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is fine to medium (2-4mm). The most defining feature is the boat-shaped (V-shaped) leaf tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent. Leaves have a prominent midrib.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system complemented by vigorous rhizomes. It has a high thatch-forming tendency but offers excellent wear recovery and high sod strength.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Asia, and parts of North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, performing best in temperate, humid climates.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), forming a dense, self-repairing sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun (6+ hours); has moderate shade tolerance. Requires consistent moisture with approximately 1-1.5 inches of water per week; enters dormancy during severe drought.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height is 2.0 to 3.5 inches. High maintenance level; requires 3-5 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year along with regular aeration and dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Superior wear tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes; good disease resistance in modern cultivars; poor salt tolerance; high aesthetic value for home lawns and sports fields.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization and water filtration in urban landscapes. Often blended with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescue for improved genetic diversity and shade performance.