Plant Type

Ground cover, Grass

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green, Dark Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium, High

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive

Design Styles

Formal, Mediterranean

 

Accenting Features

n/a

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Lawn

 

Special Uses

Erosion Control

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

This is Kentucky Bluegrass, the ubiquitous turf grass covering much of the country, including the arid west. And while Kentucky bluegrass in general has a bad rap as a water-hoggish turf grass, it has two things going in its favor: nothing covers a playfield as efficiently or repairs as quickly as bluegrass; and two, a lot of research is taking place around Kentucky bluegrass and its kin to develop varieties that are slower growing, less water-needy, more salt tolerant, and generally better suited to the arid west. If you aren't using a space where it is planted, maybe give another palatte a thought, but at the least, water bluegrass as efficiently as possible following the guidelines provided to minimize over-watering and water waste.

It may seem odd to include this in a list of water-wise plants, but Kentucky bluegrass is habitually and unnecessarily over-watered. Mowing higher (3 to 4 inches) reduces water demand, as does controlling weeds and reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. See the Guide for the proper care and feeding of this much-maligned plant.