More Discoveries

Just found some more info on types of grass:

Warm season: These grasses flourish in warmer climates, growing at their optimum when it’s 25C-35C, and becoming somewhat dormant during cold months. Typically they lose their colour in winter, and are ‘burnt’ by overnight frost – although you can find cultivars (varieties) of grasses which have been engineered to be less sensitive to cold. An example of warm season grass is buffalo.

Cool season: These grasses grow most in the spring. They’re happiest when it’s 15C-24C, but need lots of water to keep growing at the height of summer. Again, you can find cultivars of cool season grasses without these characteristics. An example of cool season grass is fescue.

HARDINESS

Different sorts of grass are better suited to high traffic areas, because they can withstand wear and tear and bounce back quicker from heavy use. When selecting your grass, determine which parts of your lawn will be used as a passageway, an area for children to play in, or an area for pets to roam. Buffalo and kikuyu grasses are ideal for these situations.

Types of grass

SIR WALTER BUFFALO

Born and bred in Australia, Sit Walter Buffalo has a crisp green colour and its leaves are the softest of all Buffalo grasses.

Pros

• Drought resistant
• Well suited to hot climates
• Very hardy – resists herbicide and fungus
• Fairly good tolerance of shade
• Maintains its colour longer than other Buffalo species
• Softness makes it an ideal surface for children to play on
• Less likely to invade garden beds
• Requires less mowing than other grasses

Cons

• Expensive

PALMETTO ST. AUGUSTINE BUFFALO

Palmetto St. Augustine Buffalo is dark emerald green in colour with a velvety soft texture.

Pros

• Frost tolerant
• Holds autumnal colour longer than other grasses
• Low-maintenance
• Thrives in both sun and shade
• Requires only three to four hours of direct sunlight per day
• Extensive root system sustains it during drought periods
• Good choice for high traffic area

Cons

• Expensive
• Thirstier than Sir Walter Buffalo

SHADEMASTER BUFFALO

Shademaster Buffalo has a broad, soft leaf, which enables it to better tolerate shaded areas. It is the most cost-effective of all buffalo varieties and its vigorous growth patterns means it is hardy against general wear and tear. It provides a thick ground cover, which also helps inhibit the germination of weeds.

Pros

• Most cost-effective buffalo
• Provides thick ground cover
• Density inhibits germination of weeds
• Fast growth means it recovers from wear and tear

Cons

• Can spread to garden beds

DURBAN

Originating in South Africa, Durban is a strong grower with a broad leaf and thin runners. It has a gentle texture and is very soft to touch.

Pros

• Hypoallergenic
• Performs very well in shade

Cons

• Expensive
• Not frost tolerant
• Thin runners make it more delicate than kikuyu

Kikuyu

Kikuyu is a vigorous grower, with broad leaves and runners.

Pros

• Grows very rapidly in a sunny, warm climate
• Inexpensive
• Can withstand heavy traffic

Cons

• Requires full sun – does not do well in the shade
• Prefers moist, medium-textured soils
• Aggressive growth may send runners into unwanted areas, which will need to be trimmed off
• Requires mowing once a week in summer

Fescue

Fescue is a robust and deep-rooted bunchgrass, which has flat leaves that are smooth and shiny on the under side and have pronounced ribs on the upper side.

Pros Performs very well in cooler climates

Continued growth through to late autumn

Excellent shade tolerance

Cons Needs fertile or fertilised soil to grow

Unsuitable for high traffic areas or houses with pets

Very thirsty

GreenleesPark Couch

This semi-dwarf couch is particularly popular for bowling greens and cricket fields.

Pros Grows horizontally, forming a very firm surface

Hard-wearing

Excellent heat tolerance

Retains colour in winter

Cons Requires fertiliser and mowing to maintain appearance

Low shade tolerance

Santa Ana Couch

Santa Ana Couch has a unique dark blue-green colour and a fine leaf. It thrives in warm conditions, making it ideal for hot, north-facing positions.

Pros Thrives in warm conditions, making it ideal for hot, north-facing positions

Excellent choice for heavy traffic areas

Not very affected by smog

Tolerates salty soil

Requires less water than other grasses

Cons Soil needs to be fertilised for best growth

Wintergreen Couch

A medium to low-density lawn with finer leaves than Greenlees Park.

Pros Grows in filtered sunlight

Ideal for most domestic applications

Inexpensive

Hardy

Very heat and drought resistant

Retains colour during winter

Non-irritating

Disease and pest resistant

Requires less water than other grasses

Cons

Needs fertile soil for best growth

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