Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Elite Cultivar (resembling 'Midnight' or 'Baron' type based on density and dark green color)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; enters dormancy during hot/dry summers and cold winters.
About This Grass
A dense, carpet-forming grass with a distinct deep green to blue-green color. It maintains a soft texture even at higher densities. The visible image shows a well-established turf with some integration of broadleaf weeds (Clover and Dock), exhibiting its characteristic medium-fine texture.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width: 2-4mm (medium); Shape: V-shaped or flat; Tip: Distinctively boat-shaped (keeled); Color: Dark green; Vernation: Folded in the bud; Ligule: Short, membranous; Auricles: Absent; Collar: Divided by a conspicuous mid-rib.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system supplemented by strong rhizomes. High thatch tendency. Strong sod-forming capability and moderate establishment speed, with high wear recovery due to spreading rhizomes.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and Northern Asia; well-adapted to temperate climates across North America
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), forming a dense, uniform sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred (6+ hours); moderate shade tolerance. High water requirements; requires regular irrigation to prevent dormancy during summer heat. Prefers well-drained fertile soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height: 2.5-3.5 inches; Frequency: Weekly during growing seasons; Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; Maintenance Level: High.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance due to rhizomes; good disease resistance in newer cultivars; slow summer growth; produces a lush professional appearance commonly used for sports fields and high-end residential lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization via dense sod; valuable for water filtration in urban landscapes; commonly mixed with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescue for improved resilience.