Warm Climate Grasses
Warm climate grasses withstand the heat well. They’re prevalent in areas of the country that see a lot of sunshine. It’s not unusual to work with Buffalo Grass, Durban Grass, Bahia Grass Paspalam, Couch Grass, Queensland Bluecouch Grass, Zoysia Grass, or Kikuyu Grass. You may even find that a combination of grasses is needed to landscape your property correctly.
It’s important to realize that a well-kept lawn makes the rest of the neighborhood happy. It increases your property’s value by making it more appealing to passers-by. It’s an option for your consideration when you’re thinking of types of grasses to make your home look more attractive.
Durban Grass
Known as sweet smother grass, this type of grass does best in warm parts of the country. It’s easy to recognize thanks to its dark green color and hairy looking leaves. It grows in clumps and is usually used to protect nut-producing trees. It needs to be mowed on the highest setting on the lawnmower to keep it looking good. Weeds are an issue if you mow the grass on a lower setting, making it double the work for you to keep Durban grass looking nice. It also needs full shade, or else it could become scorched and brown.
Buffalo Grass
Once one of the most expensive and challenging grasses to grow, buffalo grass can handle warmer climates well. It’s a minimalist grass that requires very little maintenance in the way of mowing. It’s bluish-green and grows eight to ten inches high. You don’t need to water it often, too, which could be very beneficial. One of the disadvantages of this type of grass is how much it needs weeding. It also responds poorly to being fertilized too frequently so twice a year is beneficial.
Bahia Grass Paspalam
This turfgrass is often used for pastures because it can take a lot of wear and tear without it affecting the quality of it. Bahia grass (Paspalam) does well in warmer climates. It can survive drought better than other types of grasses. It also doesn’t have as many problems with insects or disease. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance grass that doesn’t require a lot of effort for you to care for, it’s a good option for you. It does not do as well in colder climates, which is why it’s best for geographic locations that experience a great amount of sunshine.
Couch Grass
Considered a weed by many due to its ability to creep into flower beds and vegetable gardens, couch grass is dense and forms cushiony mats. It’s problematic because it crowds out other plants by taking their water and nutrients from the soil. Still, it’s the type of grass that does well in warm climates. It’s something that some people grow because they want a durable grass that can withstand a lot of trampling. If used in places where no flowers or vegetables are growing, there is no issue having the grass present.
Queensland Bluecouch Grass
Soft and drought-resistant once the roots have grown to a certain length, this type of warm climate grass is a favorite for many people. It looks fantastic, requires little effort to care for but doesn’t react to cold weather well. It lasts where there is a lot of sunshine and warmth. It looks a lot like couches grass with a broader leaf. It’s also a beautiful bluish color until winter sets in, and it turns purple. Thatching doesn’t occur the way it does with other warmer climate grasses. Queensland Bluecouch grass looks wonderful and survives dry spells well once it’s gotten its roots buried deep in the soil.
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia grass can be more problematic than beneficial if planted in the wrong environment. It’s the type of grass that spreads quickly, which is excellent if you have nothing else growing in your yard. If you have flowers or other types of plants, you’ll find yourself weeding often. It also turns brown at the slightest change in temperature, making it more work than necessary to keep cool and green. Still, it’s great if you want one type of grass present on the lawn that grows fast.
Kikuyu Grass
This type of grass is another variety that many people find to be more of a weed than anything else. It grows fast and is not susceptible to disease. It does well in semi-shady conditions but doesn’t get used often for turf grass. Kikuyu grass is more ornamental. It does not do well in colder weather but can bounce out rather quickly. It’s also relatively drought-resistant, which is suitable for warmer climates that may not see a lot of rain throughout a season. Mowing the grass short is not recommended. It can cause it to lose its volume and appear to be ‘scalped.’