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
Likely a 'Midnight' type or high-density elite blend based on dark color and leaf texture
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; poor heat tolerance in the Deep South; goes dormant in winter or extreme heat.
About This Grass
A dense, lush turf-forming grass with a rich dark green to blue-green color. It maintains a soft texture and uniform appearance. When unmowed, it can reach 12-24 inches with an open, pyramidal panicle seed head.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to fine width (2-4mm); V-shaped or flat; boat-shaped leaf tips; dark green color; folded vernation; short membranous ligule; no auricles; smooth collar.
Root System
Spreading fibrous roots with aggressive rhizomes; moderate depth; high thatch-forming tendency; slow establishment from seed but forms a very durable dense sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Asia, and the mountains of Algeria and Morocco; widely adapted across temperate climates
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading underground); forms a dense, tight-knit sod mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred (minimum 6 hours); moderate shade tolerance; high water requirements; enters summer dormancy during severe drought; prefers well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2-3.5 inches; frequent mowing needed during spring/fall peaks; high fertilization (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year); requires vertical mowing and aeration; High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes; susceptible to leaf spot and dollar spot; low salt tolerance; high ability to crowd out weeds when managed properly.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America; provides forage for grazing wildlife; excellent for soil erosion control; commonly blended with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescue.