Description

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is the second most widely grown cool-season species in North Carolina because it has a dark green color, a medium to fine texture, and, due to its aggressive rhizome system, can recover from stresses. It prefers fertile, well-limed soils and full sun to moderate shade. Kentucky bluegrass is often mixed with other cool-season grasses like tall fescue to enhance the ability of the turfgrass stand to recover from stresses. Kentucky bluegrass is often confused with tall fescue and/or perennial ryegrass. However, Kentucky bluegrass has a boat-shaped leaf tip and distinctive light-colored lines on both sides of the midrib.

Lawn Maintenance, Athletic Field Maintenance and Cultivar Selection

• For a month-by-month Kentucky bluegrass lawn maintenance calendar, see Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass Home Maintenance Calendar.
• For guidance on maintaining athletic fields, see Athletic Field Maintenance Calendar.
• 2020 Top Performing Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars Across the Transition Zone and North Carolina

Species Data

• SEEDHEAD / FLOWER
  • seedhead is an open panicle. spikelets are flattened, with 3-5 seeds each.
• VERNATION TYPE
  • leaves folded in the bud
• LIGULE TYPE
  • membranous; very short, collar-like, 0.008 - 0.04 inches (0.2 - 1 mm) long
    Figure 1
• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • cool season turf
• AURICLE TYPE
  • absent
• LEAF BLADE TIP SHAPE
  • boat shaped; usually V-shaped, sharply creased below; two distinct, clear lines, one on each side of the midrib
    ​Figure 2, Figure 3
• LEAF BLADE WIDTH
  • 0.08 - 0.16 inches (2 - 4 mm) wide
• STOLON PRESENCE
  • absent
• RHIZOME PRESENCE
  • present
• COLLAR TYPE
  • slightly divided by midrib, may have fine hair on edge
    Figure 4
• SHEATH MARGIN
  • closed, but splits with maturity
    Figure 5