Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, perennial, C3 pathway specimen typical of temperate climates.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, and Golf Course Fairways/Roughs
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Elite type (e.g., 'Midnight' or 'Argyle' series) based on dark green hue and medium leaf texture.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; poor heat tolerance in the deep South; enters summer and winter dormancy.
About This Grass
A medium-textured, dark-green dense turfgrass that goes dormant (brown) during heat or drought. Seed heads are open, spreading panicles.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 2-4mm with distinctive boat-shaped tips; folded vernation in the bud; two clear 'parallel lines' or 'railroad tracks' along the midrib; short membranous ligule and no auricles.
Root System
Relatively shallow to moderate fibrous root system supported by aggressive rhizomes; forms thick thatch and dense sod; moderately slow to establish compared to ryegrass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, Northern Asia, and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous growth habit; spreads via underground stems to form a dense, knit sod with high self-repair capacity.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high water requirement to stay green; high drought dormancy survival but low active drought resistance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.0-3.5 inches; high maintenance; requires 3-5 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually and periodically needs dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic recovery due to rhizomes; susceptible to leaf spot, melting out, and necrotic ring spot; superior winter hardiness.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides nesting cover and forage for small wildlife; excellent soil stabilizer for erosion control; often mixed with Perennial Ryegrass and Fine Fescue.