8 Types of Grass in Arizona: Add Beauty to Your Lawn

Types of grass in Arizona are the ones that will thrive in this climate and will add beauty, you will find what you are looking for in this article.

Which type of winter grass Arizona adaptive species should one have, and which are the different season grass types in Arizona?

Continue reading to know the answer to these and so much more.

List of Different Types of Grass in Arizona

1. Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass, or scutch grass, is a warm-season turfgrass that thrives in the country’s southern regions. Its ability to tolerate drought and withstand heavy foot traffic and various weather conditions makes it a favorite among many. It can even tolerate salt, and this shows that it has a resilient characteristic with its rough edges and strong roots.

Furthermore, it recovers from damage much more quickly than any other grass. These characteristics make you see more of the grass other than just its visual appearance.

This is the type of grass that has a fast growth rate and spreads through the help of above and underground runners. The grass retains its color in the deep southern regions free from frost. Even though it is a warm-season-loving grass, some varieties can survive in the transitional zone, northern region.

Moreover, you only need to trim the grass a little, since it has a fast growth rate, you must move it once or twice a week in its peak growing season. You need to keep an eye on the grass to prevent it from climbing onto pathways on the other neatly kept garden beds, however, the grass may be infested by two pests, sod web worms or hunting bill bugs, which are two you need to be aware of. 

2. Tall Fescue

The perennial grass is native to Europe and belongs to the Poaceae family, and this grass is the easiest grass to grow, low-maintenance, and permanent addition to any phoenix lawn. It can tolerate foot traffic which means kids can play around the grass as it won’t get harmed, and you only need to dethatch it occasionally and ensure that no pests have infested it. 

On another note, it has a great tolerance to cold, heat, and drought, and it would turn from a beautiful shade of green to brown in high heat, giving it a straw-like appearance. However, to see it grow well, you must provide it with an organic soil that is rich in nutrients, and partial shades of sun. 

You can over seed your lawn for a fuller look, the leaves are rolled in a bud. This grass species is distinguished by its comprehensive root system. Most gardeners recommend not mowing it before it is one and a half inches tall. 

Also remember that it is a heavy feeder that must be watered regularly in the hot summers. In addition, what you should be careful are the pests that would infest it, such as cutworms and white grubs, however, you can notice both of them, and it would be quite easier to spot them. You may also notice the grubs as they would start eating the roots, and the grass would look weaker. 

3. Perennial Ryegrass

It is native to Europe and Asia; also, it is a great addition if you wish to install it the state of Arizona in addition to being considered a type of grass that is quite easy to install. Rye grass is grown throughout the United States but is used differently in every region. 

A unique characteristic it has is that the grass would germinate fast and does not take long to mature. This medium dark green grass is used in both temporary and permanent lawns, and it does not have a very long period and is mostly used to add an instant pop of color.

It is known to bloom in moderate summers and cool winters, as long as the conditions are met right, which is having fertile soil, and a well-draining characteristic, in addition to being located in full to partial shades of sun. It grows at a much quicker rate as compared to other common grass seeds. However, after it has matured, it spreads at a very slow rate; note that the matter would usually takes place in clumps and propagates through vertical shoots instead of rhizomes or stolons.

4. Palmetto St. Augustine

The grass is a dwarf variety of St. Augustine grass, but it may also be known as buffalo grass in some cases. This grass species is the type that would thrive in the southern regions of the United States of America. 

It propagates through sod or plugs, and in the beginning week, you must water it more than you would once it gets properly established. The best feature about this grass type is that you do not have to mow it much; rather, it appreciates if you do not disturb its habitat, unlike the rest of the grass seeds.

It is the greenest in spring and summer when it has at least ninety days to mature before the frost. This grass type has its fair set of disadvantages too. When you are growing this grass, you should know that it is not tolerant to cold as the other ones are; on the contrary, it is likely to lose its beautiful lush green appearance in winter. 

A key characteristic it has is how it can tolerate everyday foot traffic but not massive and recurrent traffic. But in taking proper care of it, and fertilizing it when necessary, this grass is known to thrive and grow so well showing its beautiful shoots. 

5. Kentucky Bluegrass

It is one of the most grown cool season grass because of its robust root system, and this is why it is the best grass for Phoenix Arizona. Moreover, the grass forms a dense green mat and is found growing almost everywhere. The latter is what helps control erosion because of its aggressive root system. 

The Kentucky grass has a long life span and grows up to six inches to three feet tall. An interesting fact about it is that its growth rate depends on the length of the day rather than the temperature. For example, the leaves are the longest in summer and reduce gradually as the cold seasons settle in.

What you should worry about is that you should provide it the grass with the right conditions, which are fertile soil, that is kept moist and is located in a bright area that has direct sunlight. However, knowing that the soil should be moist doesn’t mean you should overwater it; doing so would weaken the quality and the color. 

6. Zoysia

There are many Zoysia grass Arizona fans, and people who prefer lush green grass that is drought-tolerant and tolerates heavy foot traffic can have their wish fulfilled with this grass type. This grass seed is native to Korea and belongs to the Poaceae family.

A key characteristic about it is that it is a warm-season-loving grass type, and has been a part of the United States since the early twentieth century. This is the type that became a supreme lawngrass in many suburban regions of the southern part of the United States. 

Overall, it also has a growing in the uncontrollable or invasive matter, as characteristic, because it would lead to heavy thatch formation and even enters the neighboring landscapes where it is not wanted. Moreover, if you wish to have a lush green lawn, ensure you mow it when the grass length is one-third less than its maximum length.

The voluminous turf grass is mostly used in parks, golf courses, and other heavy foot traffic areas, you can even place a playground for your kids, and they can play around it, without causing any harm. To prevent thatch prevention and to ensure that maximum nutrients and water reach the soil, we recommend you subject it to core aeration in the early summer. 

7. Centipede Grass

The Eremochloa Ophiuroides grass has a bright green color and is native to Asia. It survives in even the toughest of soil types, making it a perfect choice to be grown in tropical and subtropical regions. This grass type is also low-maintenance. It survives the coldest of winters in warm climates without any major issues.

It propagates through stolons and has fewer mowing needs than the other types of grass. Hence it is quite easy to take care of. This grass type grows very thick, reducing the chances of any weed growth nearby. It has a slow growth rate, so you only need to dethatch it occasionally. 

The plant needs to be watered regularly, about one inch of water per week, especially when it has not rained. Make sure that you are careful with the bugs that it may get infested with, which are grubs and spittle bugs; you shouldn’t leave the infestation unattained, because it may kill the grass. 

8. Midiron Grass

Bermuda grass Arizona is a hybrid grass, that is an attractive and low-maintenance grass grown widely in this state. The deep green grass makes any lawn look pretty and healthy. This grass grows well in the warm season and is resilient to regularly-walked-on places like golf courses, playgrounds, and even common household lawns.

If you invest in this type, know that it is a perfect addition to regions that experience frequent heat and dry spells. It maintains its green color in the toughest and most extensive droughts, having a characteristic that is pest and disease resistant. 

We recommend setting the mowing height to two or three inches and regularly mowing your grass. Furthermore, it is a heavy feeder and does well when fed with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer twice or thrice a year.

Conclusion

Season grasses add beauty wherever they are grown, but it is also important to know if a certain grass type will survive in your area.

Whichever grass you decide to grow, always remember the following points from the article above:

• The centipede grass is the easiest to grow without worrying about invading other’s properties. It is ideal for people living in cold regions.
• Palmetto grass only requires a little, or at all, mowing.
• The Ryegrass is fit to be grown in all kinds of seasons; it would also grow at a slow pace after it has established and matured.
• If you have a fescue grass plant in your home, you do not need any other grass.
• Bluegrass has a long life expectancy if you look for a long-living grass.

 Do not let this stop you from having the grass of your dreams, as our gardening experts are here to help. After knowing more about these types of grass, which one would you like to grow?

References

https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/turf/publications/Bermuda.html

https://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/TURF/TURFSPECIES/perrye.html

https://turf.arizona.edu/tips203%20.htm

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