Kentucky Bluegrass

Poa pratensis

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Lawn & Blends

Plant Family: Poaceae

Plant Description: Cool-season turf-grass with attractive blue-green foliage. Most popular turfgrass in Utah. Grows best when temperatures are cool but will struggle during the summer. Requires a significant amount of water to remain green during the summer but will be healthier if watering is applied at the proper amounts. Proper irrigation typically involves decreasing irrigation frequency while increasing system run-time.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Lawn - Cool Season

Plant Care: Lawn - Cool Season (turf grasses that are adapted to cold winters, thriving in spring and fall and tending to go dormant in hot dry summers): Mow regularly so that not more than 1/3rd is removed each time, to a height of about 3 inches to provide for healthy root growth and to help compete with weeds. Provide adequate water, but avoid overwatering. Fertilize once in the fall and an optional second time in the spring. Aerate once a year with a clean aerator, especially in compacted soils. Dethatching is not necessary except on highly maintained areas such as sports fields and golf courses. Most weeds can be controlled through maintaining a healthy and competitive lawn. Otherwise, use appropriate weed control methods including hand pulling and appropriate herbicide use.

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 3-6" tall

Utah Native: No

Plant Select: No

Pollinator Friendly: No

Localscapes: Central Open Shape

Foliage Interest: No

Foliage Colors: Green

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun), Full Shade (0-4 hrs sun), Part Shade (4-6 hrs morning sun), Part Sun (4-6 hrs afternoon sun)

Irrigation Requirement:

High (1/2" more than once per week)

Salt Tolerant: Yes

Deer Resistant: Unknown

Garden Location:

Maintenance Path
- Backyard Makeover
Neighborhood Landscapes
- Prudent Perennials
- Traditional Yet Thrifty
Planting Path
- Turf Tips

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter