Sodding
It loves sandy soil but needs to be watered frequently. It can provide a grassy cushion for the lawn and can tolerate high foot traffic too.
Botanical Name: Stenotaphrum secundatum
Common name: St. Augustine grass, carpet grass
Plant Type: Perennial, ornamental grass, turfgrass
Mature size: 6-12”
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Sandy, moist, occasionally dry
Soil pH: Moderately acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Flower color: Green
Hardiness zones: 8-10
Native Area: Southeastern USA, Central America, Africa
St. Augustin
It is very hardy grass. Technically classified as a weed, bermuda aggressively chokes out other grass types leaving your lawn full and lush. It thrives in the heat but turns brown for dormancy in the winter months.
Botanical Name: Cynodon dactylon
Common name: Bermuda grass, star grass, devil’s grass, coast cross, Indian couch
Plant Type: Perennial, weed, turfgrass
Mature size: 4-12”
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Clay, loam (silt), sand, shallow rocky
Soil pH: Moderately acidic, slightly alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Non-flowering
Flower color: Raceme
Hardiness zones: 7-10
Native Area: East Africa, India.
Bermuda
It is a good turf grass that will make the lawn dense. It is known for its green, notched leaves that grow horizontally.
Like Bermuda, it is a warm-season grass that needs frequent watering. It also can tolerate high traffic and be cut very short, allowing for less frequent mowing.
Botanical Name: Eremochloa Ophiuroidea
Common name: Centipede grass
Plant Type: Perennial, turfgrass, colonic
Mature size: 10”
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Clay, loam (silt), sand, shallow rocky
Soil pH: Moderately acidic
Bloom time: Non-flowering
Flower color: Raceme
Hardiness zones: 7-10
Native Area: Southeast Asia, South America, Africa
Centipede
This grass thrives in shade and cooler weather. It is versatile and can adapt to most environments.
Botanical Name: Festuca arundinacea
Common name: Tall fescue grass
Plant Type: Perennial, ornamental grass, turfgrass
Mature size: 4-12”
Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: clay, loam, moist, well-draining
Soil pH: Moderately acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall and spring
Flower color: none
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Native Area: Europe
Fescue
It is another warm-season grass with stiff and coarse leaves. It is slow-growing, requires full sun, and turns dormant during the colder seasons.
It will turn green again when the warmer seasons come. It can tolerate infrequent watering.
Botanical Name: Zoysia japonica
Common name: Zoysia
Plant type: Perennial grass, turfgrass
Mature size: 6-12”
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Rocky, clay with good drainage
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
Bloom time: Insignificant
Flower color: Insignificant
Hardiness zones: 5-10
Native Area: Korea
