Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season (C3), Perennial
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass (Fairways/Tees)
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a common turf-type variety such as 'Midnight' or a seed blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7. High cold tolerance; enters dormancy during summer heat/drought and winter freezes.
About This Grass
A dense, lush turfgrass with a medium to fine texture. Exhibits a rich dark-green to blue-green color. It forms a uniform sod that is highly resilient and soft to the touch. Seed heads are open panicles with a pyramidal shape, though rarely seen in maintained lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are narrow (2-4mm), V-shaped or flat. Most distinguishing feature is the boat-shaped (keeled) tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is short, membranous, and truncate; auricles are absent.
Root System
Fibrous and rhizomatous. While the root system is relatively shallow compared to fescue, the thick network of rhizomes creates a dense, strong sod that provides moderate drought recovery and excellent wear tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, Northern Asia, and the mountains of Morocco/Algeria; widely adapted to temperate climates globally
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading underground). High density with an aggressive mat-forming tendency that fills in bare spots via lateral rhizomes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun (6+ hours) but can tolerate light shade. Requires moderate to high water (approx. 1 inch per week) and prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.0-3.0 inches. Requires frequent mowing and high nitrogen fertilization (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year). High maintenance level due to dethatching needs and water requirements.
Special Characteristics
Excellent self-repair capacity due to rhizomes; high foot-traffic tolerance; susceptible to leaf spot, melting-out, and summer patch; poor salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; provides soil stabilization via dense sod; utilized by birds and small mammals for seeds/cover in unmanaged areas; often blended with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescue for genetic diversity.