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 Fairways/Tees
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a 'Midnight-type' or 'Elite' cultivar based on the dark green color and dense, fine texture
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; poor performance in the deep South; enters winter dormancy turning brown in extreme cold.
About This Grass
A high-quality turfgrass with a rich emerald to dark blue-green color. It forms a lush, carpet-like lawn with a fine to medium texture. Unmowed, it reaches 12-24 inches with open, pyramidal panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Width: fine to medium (2-4mm); Shape: V-shaped or flat; Tip: distinctly boat-shaped (keeled); Color: deep dark green; Vernation: folded in the bud; Ligule: short, membranous, and trunctate; Auricles: absent.
Root System
Moderately shallow fibrous root system supported by vigorous rhizomes. Produces significant thatch; establishment is slow from seed but forms a very durable sod once mature.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Asia, and Morocco; naturalized throughout North America in temperate humid climates
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), forming a dense, self-repairing sod mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun (6+ hours); moderate shade tolerance in some cultivars. High water requirement; goes dormant during severe drought but recovers well via rhizomes. Prefers pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height: 1.5-3.0 inches; Frequency: weekly during growth peaks; Fertilization: high (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year); High maintenance including regular aeration and dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes; susceptible to leaf spot, melting out, and necrotic ring spot; moderate salt tolerance; high aesthetic value for home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides cover for small mammals; excellent for soil stabilization on slopes; often blended with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescue for diversity.