Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a common turf-type variety like 'Midnight' or 'Baron' based on the dark green color and density.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2-7. Excellent cold tolerance. Goes dormant (turns brown) during extreme summer heat or winter freezes.
About This Grass
A dense, high-quality turf grass with a dark green to blue-green color. It forms a lush carpet and is highly valued for its aesthetics and ability to recover from traffic. Seed heads are open, airy panicles shaped like a pyramid.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium (2-4mm). The most distinctive feature is the boat-shaped (V-shaped) tip. Blades are smooth on both sides with a prominent mid-rib. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately shallow fibrous roots supported by extensive rhizomes. Moderate thatch-forming tendency; slower to establish from seed than ryegrass but forms a stabilizing sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, Northern Asia, and the mountains of Morocco and Algeria; widely adapted to temperate climates globally.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading underground). Forms a thick, dense sod through aggressive underground stems.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun preferred (6+ hours), though some cultivars tolerate light shade. Requires consistent moisture (1 inch per week). Moderate drought tolerance via dormancy; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.0-3.5 inches. High maintenance level. Requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Regular aeration and occasional dethatching are necessary due to rhizome growth.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes. Good disease resistance in modern cultivars, though susceptible to necrotic ring spot and summer patch. Low salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America but naturalized. Provides soil stabilization and filtration. Used frequently in mixes with Fine Fescue or Perennial Ryegrass to increase durability and shade tolerance.