The following lists rank common turfgrass species according to important characteristics and requirements and their relation with each other. Within a category a given grass may differ little from the one listed immediately above or below it; it may, however, differ greatly from one further up or down on the list. The precise position of a turfgrass in a list may change slightly as more is learned about it or improved varieties are developed, but its location (high, low or intermediate) is not likely to change and can therefore be usefully reviewed when preparing to plant.
The “warm season” turfgrasses listed, bermudagrasses (common and hybrid), Dichondra, Kikuyugrass, Seashore paspalum, St Augustinegrass and Zoysiagrass, generally lose their green color and are dormant in winter, if the average air temperature drops below 50o to 60oF (10o to 15.5o C). Some may die if exposed to subfreezing temperatures for extended periods.
The “cool season” turfgrasses ordinarily do not lose their green color unless the average air temperature drops below 32oF (0o C) for an extended periood; they turn green again as soon as temperatures rise above freezing, and are not usually damaged by subfreezing temperatures.
Click here for scientific and common names for turfgrasses.
Click on the turf characteristic below for a comparitive ranking of the types of turf under different conditions.
1. Texture 2. Heat tolerance 3. Cold Tolerance 4. Mowing height adaptaion 5. Nitrogen requirement 6. Salinity tolerance 7. Drought tolerance 8. Disease incidence 9. Shade tolerance 10. Wear resistance 11. Recovery from moderate wear 12. Recovery from severe injury 13. Establishment rate 14. Maintenance cost and effort
*Content for this document was taken from "Selecting the Best Turfgrass",
Cooperative Extension, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural
Resources. Leaflet 2589, revised 1984.