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
High-quality turf-type (potential cultivar: 'Midnight' or similar dark green type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; poor heat tolerance in deep south; goes dormant in winter/extreme summer heat.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing turf grass with a characteristic deep emerald to blue-green color. It forms a lush, carpet-like mat and is highly valued for its aesthetics and ability to recover from wear via rhizomes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm); V-shaped or flat; distinctive boat-shaped (keeled) tip; dark green color; folded vernation; membranous ligule (short); auricles absent.
Root System
Moderate depth with extensive shallow rhizomes; high thatch-forming tendency; slow establishment from seed but forms a very strong, dense sod once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Asia, and Northern Africa; widely naturalized across North America
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), forming a dense, uniform sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun preferred (6+ hours); moderate shade tolerance; high water requirements; enters summer dormancy during extreme drought; prefers pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.5 to 3.0 inches height; high frequency; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; requires regular aeration and dethatching; High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery; susceptible to leaf spot and dollar spot; low salt tolerance; best ability to fill in bare spots automatically.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; high value for soil stabilization and erosion control; provides cover for small organisms; often mixed with Perennial Ryegrass and Fine Fescue.