Which of These 5 Types of Lawn Grass is Right for Your Custom Home?

June 26, 2014

Grass is grass, right? So long as it is green, lush, and healthy – i.e., making your home and lawn, and by extension, you, look good – then it is doing its job and you have nothing left to worry about, right? Wrong! The problem is that your lawn is often a little more demanding than it seems. There are many different types of lawn grass, and each is best suited to particular environments and climates, and require various different methods of caretaking. If you want your lawn to look great and complement your home, then it behooves you to choose the right type of lawn grass.

Creeping Grass vs Bunch Grass

There are two primary types of grass. First, there is creeping grass, which includes grasses such as Bluegrass, Bermuda, and more, including many types of warm-season grasses. These kinds of grass are generally prone to thatch, whereas bunch grass – such as fescue, ryegrass, etc. – tend to spread from the crown of the plant, meaning that it is important to mow high in order to protect that crown and help the spread and survival of that grass. When choosing a specific kind of lawn grass, it’s good to know the types of lawn grass and precisely what you’re getting into.

5 Top Types of Lawn Grass

1. Bermuda

Bermuda grows aggressively and is extremely resistant to weeds; if you are someone who likes to have their grass be “low maintenance” in that regard, then Bermuda may be for you. However, Bermuda grass can sometimes invade flower beds, as the same traits that allow it to survive and spread make it sometimes problematic for gardeners. Bermuda’s wear-resistant, drought-tolerant nature makes it extremely hardy indeed!

2. Bluegrass

Bluegrass, on the other hand, tends to be used in cooler, more northerly regions. It has a beautiful look to it both in terms of color and texture, but it requires especially high-quality soil as well as plenty of water on a regular basis. If you are comfortable with a slightly more demanding, high-maintenance grass, then Bluegrass is for you.

3. Centipede

Centipede grass is, on the other hand, tough, low-growing, and low-maintenance, and absolutely flourishes in high acidic soil, especially in the deep Southern reaches of the United States.

4. Fescue

There are many kinds of Fescue grasses, and all are highly resistant to the cold weather that various regions in the United States can sometimes deal with. With a high tolerance for heat, drought, shade, and wear, Fescue is great in just about any capacity!

5. Perennial Ryegrass

Perennial ryegrass grows quickly and is great for areas where you expect high amounts of foot traffic. Ryegrass is especially great when mixed with cold-season grasses to create a “wintergreen” option for your lawn.

The wrong grass type often results in more challenges and obstacles when it comes to basic maintenance. Choosing the right types of lawn grass for your region is one way to keep your yard healthy and ensure that it is as easy to maintain as possible.