Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 landscape grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Midnight' type blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; enters winter dormancy; struggles in high heat/humidity of the deep South.
About This Grass
A dense, high-quality turf grass with a distinct dark green to blue-green color. It grows 12-24 inches if unmowed, producing open, pyramidal panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), V-shaped or flat, featuring a unique boat-shaped tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Abundant fibrous roots and strong rhizomes; moderate depth. High thatch tendency due to rhizome density; slower establishment from seed than ryegrass but forms a tighter sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Asia, and Northern Africa; well-adapted to Northern US and Canada
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), form a dense mat-forming sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun preferred (6+ hours); moderate to high water needs; can go dormant during summer drought to survive. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.5 to 3.5 inches; weekly mowing; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; requires regular aeration; high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes; susceptible to leaf spot and dollar spot; moderate shade tolerance; superb winter hardiness.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; nesting cover for ground birds; often blended with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescue.