Turfgrass Quick Facts: Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis)
Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular cool season turfgrasses in the United States. Its dark green leaf color and superior traffic tolerance makes it a top choice for the residential and recreational landscape.Kentucky bluegrass is more drought tolerant than many people realize due to its strong dormancy period during hot dry spells. It will, however, turn brown in summer without supplemental water.
Kentucky bluegrass characteristics
- Native of Europe and North Africa
- Boat shaped leaf
- Dark green color
- Densely sod forming
- Tolerates heavy use
- Proper fertilization
- Strong summer dormancy period
- “Boat” shaped leaf tip
In Depth Resources:
West
Colorado – Drought Tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass
Midwest
Iowa – Selecting Kentucky bluegrass Varieties
Southeast
North Carolina – Bluegrass, Kentucky
Southwest
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| Individual Kentucky bluegrass plant with seed head an rhizomes. Source: Veldbeemdgras Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 |