Kentucky Bluegrass (with White Clover intermixed)
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Midnight' type blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance but enters summer dormancy during drought or extreme heat.
About This Grass
A dark green, medium-textured turfgrass that forms a dense carpet; features upright growth and becomes dormant in extreme heat. The visual shows it heavily intermixed with Trifolium repens (White Clover).
Blade Characteristics
Narrow to medium (2-4mm), V-shaped or flat, distinguished by a unique boat-shaped tip, folded vernation, and two clear lines (keels) along the midrib.
Root System
Strongly rhizomatous with a fibrous root system; forms thick thatch and has moderate establishment speed with excellent sod-forming capability.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, Northern Asia, and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading underground) and forms a dense sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred (6+ hours), moderate to high water needs, poor shade tolerance, prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5-3.5 inches; high maintenance requirement; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen/1000 sq ft annually and seasonal aeration.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes; susceptible to leaf spot and dollar spot; moderate salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; provides forage for small mammals; when mixed with clover (as pictured), it benefits from natural nitrogen fixation.