Creeping Bentgrass
Agrostis stolonifera · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Golf Course Grass (Putting Greens/Tees/Fairways), Lawn/Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Penncross' or 'Penn A-4' given the bright green color and density typical of putting green varieties.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-9; excellent cold tolerance but prone to heat stress and summer decline in humid southern climates.
About This Grass
A fine-textured, dense grass that forms a soft, carpet-like surface. It has a distinctive light-to-mid green color and can be maintained at extremely low mowing heights (under 0.2 inches).
Blade Characteristics
Fine width (1-2mm); flat or slightly involute; pointed tip; light to medium green; rolled vernation; membranous ligule (tall, rounded to pointed); auricles absent; collar is narrow but distinct.
Root System
Shallow, fibrous root system; high thatch-forming tendency due to stoloniferous growth; fast establishment from seed or sod; sensitive to drought due to shallow roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of Asia; widely naturalized in North America and cool temperate maritime climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively via above-ground runners to form a dense, low-growing mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun preferred, low shade tolerance; high water requirements needing frequent irrigation to maintain turf density and prevent wilt; thrives in moist, fertile, slightly acidic-to-neutral soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance; mowing height 0.1 to 0.5 inches on golf greens, up to 1 inch for lawns; frequent fertilization (3-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft); requires regular vertical mowing/dethatching and topdressing.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic recovery due to stolons; high susceptibility to Dollar Spot and Brown Patch; low salt tolerance; best used where low-mowing and high-density performance is required.
Ecological Information
Introduced in many regions; provides high soil stabilization on slopes; can be invasive in home lawns when mixed with other cool-season grasses; serves as a minor food source for some waterfowl.