Grass Identification - Ask Extension
I have scattered locations of a bunch grass about my yard. Examples have medium fine blades. Grass is deep rich green. Will grow in shade or ...
Knowledgebase
Grass Identification #193198
Asked June 22, 2014, 11:08 AM EDT
I have scattered locations of a bunch grass about my yard. Examples have medium fine blades. Grass is deep rich green. Will grow in shade or full sun. In several places it has remained green throughout the winter. Some examples are one and two years old and have survived whether protected or not. In past I have used annual rye and fescue, this is different AND MORE DESIRABLE. Attached pictures show individual plant, one going to seed and an example next to St. Augustine. Can you identify this grass. I think I would like it to spread, as it seems to like shade better than the Turf Grass. Your assistance is apprecdiated, thanks Carl
Tarrant County Texas
Expert Response
It's perennial ryegrass. Its commonly used as a winter overseeding crop on golf course fairways and athletic fields. It has good shade tolerance, does well in cool weather, but will not tolerate heat or drought. In essence, even though it is a perennial plant it acts like an annual in southeaster climates. I would not recommend it for planting other than simply as something to provide winter color.
Thanks for the reply. I do have a couple of questions/comments. I did not know perennial rye would grow as a bunch grass, that is contrary to my experience. I also have not found perennial rye to take full sun as I have noted this grass does. I have found perennial rye to be seasonal, where as this grass never seems to go dormat. I'll admit the blades look like rye; what- ever, I guess I will try to get the available seeds to take hold. Thanks again.
Perennial ryegrass is certainly a bunch-type grass and in shaded areas as the pictures here suggest it doesn't surprise me that the occasional clump will persist year-round. However, perennial ryegrass as a mono stand of turfgrass would simply not survive the summer heat, drought, and disease pressure we have here in Texas which is why it is almost exclusively limited to using it as an overseeding crop. Unless of course you are up in the Amarillo area but even there it is combined as part of a mixture with other cool-season species.
