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
Common type / Standard blend, noted for deep green color and good cold hardiness.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 7. Exhibits excellent cold tolerance, surviving sub-freezing winters, and enters semi-dormancy during periods of extreme summer heat.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, medium-fine textured turf with an upright growth habit when maintained. Color ranges from medium to dark green or blue-green. Unmowed height reaches 18 to 24 inches, developing panicle seed heads that are pyramidal in shape.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium width (2-4mm), flat to folded with prominent parallel veins and a distinctive boat-shaped tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system combined with creeping underground rhizomes. Forms a dense, tough sod that establishes at a moderate speed and provides good wear recovery through lateral spreading.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, northern Asia, and parts of the mountainous regions of North America. Widely cultivated throughout the northern United States, Canada, and cool temperate regions worldwide.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous, spreading underground via robust, slender rhizomes to form a dense, uniform turf sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun, requiring a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight (moderate shade tolerance). Requires regular moisture for optimal appearance, with moderate drought tolerance by entering summer dormancy during extended dry periods. Prefers well-drained, fertile loamy soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.0 to 3.5 inches. Mowing frequency is weekly during peak growing seasons. Fertilization requires 2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. Moderate to high maintenance level, requiring occasional dethatching and core aeration.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear recovery due to aggressive rhizomatous spreading. Good cold tolerance and winter color retention in milder cool regions. Moderate disease susceptibility (e.g., leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch). Forms an effective erosion control mat.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America widely naturalized in lawns and pastures. Provides ground cover, effective soil stabilization, and runoff reduction. Often blended with Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue for lawn establishment.