Description Of Varieties | The Most Common Grasses

Ryegrass / Lolium perene

Ryegrass is one of the most important varieties used in lawn mixtures. It prefers fresh soil rich in nutrients and distinguishes itself by its fast germination and very quick root development. It forms a thick sward, is very tough and quickly regenerates itself after damage. Rye grass is very well suited to difficult surfaces like football pitches and playgrounds.

Smooth-stalked meadow grass / Poa pratensis

Red Fescue / Festuca rubra
Red fescue grows low to the ground, has a very fine leaf which forms a thick and fine sward. It has a low nutrient demand and can survive longer dry spells. Red fescue is used primarily in front lawns, ornamental lawns and golf courses.

Creeping red fescue / Festuca rubra rubra

Creeping red fescue spreads by the means of its subterranean runner, this allows the plant to close in gaps within the sward. Creeping red fescue prospers in higher, colder situations and also does very well on lighter grounds. The leaf in contrast to red fescue is a darker colour but its uses would be the same as red fescue.

Short creeping red fescue / Festuca rubra trichophylla

The short creeping red fescue (hair – leafy fescue) is a cross between red fescue and creeping red fescue and develops short subterranean runners (rhizomes) which enable the plant to close in any gaps. The leaf of the short creeping red fescue is dark green in colour and very fine. It takes its toughness from the red fescue and in addition is relatively tolerant to salt. The short creeping red fescue is used primarily in ornamental lawns and golf courses.

Rough sheeps fescue / Festuca ovina duriuscula

Common bent grass / Agrostis capillaris

Common bent-grass is a fine dense cultivar. It is slower to establish but has excellent drought resistance. Suited to very fine turf such as bowling greens and golf greens.

Creeping bent grass / Agrostis stolonifera

The creeping bent- grass spreads by way of a long surface creeping shoot which forms in the knots of the roots. It is able to knit within a sward very well. Under optimum conditions it can be a very aggressive plant. It forms a thick homogeneous sward and cuts very well. Creeping bent grass is used primarily in golf courses and the finest ornamental lawns.

Tall fescue / Festuca arundinacea

Tall fescue has a relatively coarse leaf and does not fall under the ornamental grass category. Tall fescue is very well suited to dry locations but is also suitable to wet and shady areas. Tall fescue is a very robust grass and hence is often used in difficult rough areas.