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; exact cultivar cannot be determined from visual image alone but displays typical color and density of common lawn mixes.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance but becomes stressed/dormant in temperatures consistently above 85°F.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing grass with a dark blue-green color. It forms a lush carpet when healthy, but the image shows significant straw-colored dormancy or stress, likely due to summer drought or heat. Seed heads are open, airy panicles (not visible in the mowed state).
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), folded vernation, smooth texture. Distinguished by a characteristic V-shaped or boat-shaped blade tip. No auricles present; ligule is short and membranous.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system with extensive rhizomes. Forms heavy thatch if over-fertilized. Slow to establish from seed (21-28 days) but produces a very durable sod once mature.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Asia, and the mountains of Morocco and Algeria. Widely adapted across the United States, especially in Northern regions.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), forming a dense, self-repairing sod with a medium rate of spread.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred (6+ hours); poor shade tolerance compared to fescues. Requires high water input (1-1.5 inches per week) to remain green. Strong summer dormancy response (turning brown as seen in image) to survive drought.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 2.5 to 3.5 inches. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (3-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually) and periodic dethatching/aeration.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance due to rhizomatous growth; high recuperative potential. Susceptible to leaf spot, melting-out, and summer patch during humid heat.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized (non-native to NA). Provides high-quality erosion control due to dense sod formation. Common in lawn blends with Perennial Ryegrass and Fine Fescue for improved biodiversity.