Common Turf Varieties

Warm season turf identification

In general, northern areas of Australia can grow warmer season grasses quite well throughout the year. Most of Australia can grow warm season grasses, however the level of dormancy and shade needs to be considered because this influences the growth.

Ask the Lawn Addicts team about turf identification and advice for warm season turf, including buffalo, kikuyu, couch and zoysia grasses.

Cool season grass identification

While the most southern areas of Australia can grow cool season grasses throughout the whole year quite easily without the effects of our summers, as we move north and the summers intensify it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain cool season grasses.

A good part of Australia is transitional and can grow various varieties of both warm and cool season grasses quite well.

It is important to know your grass identification, as the maintenance and lawn care products you require vary greatly. Incorrect selection can result in irreversible damage.

At Lawn Addicts we can help you choose selective herbicides, fertilisers, insecticides and specialist products best suited to your lawn.

Grass identification generally falls into the main groups below.

However, please don’t hesitate to contact us for help with insect or weed identification if your grass type isn’t mentioned.

  • Perennial Ryegrass

    Perennial ryegrass is a cool season lawn variety. It has shade tolerance with a dark, glossy, rich green colour. Although perennial ryegrass is often used on its own without any problem, it is usually used as a companion grass and often used in combination with a warm season grass and other seed blends. As the weather turns, perennial ryegrass will have high water requirements from spring and continuing through the summer, and will not tolerate either the heat or lack…

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  • Fescue and Varieties

    Fescue is a hardy, all year round cool season grass, making it ideal for the cooler regions of Australia. It can withstand frosts and some short, warm and dry periods. It is commonly a coarser, long-growing grass that can be cut short enough to make a lawn. Related closely to rye grass, fescue is a particularly low-maintenance grass with not much mowing and fertilising required. It has some drought-resistance due to the deep root system of the plant, which can…

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  • Bent Grass

    Bent grass is a cool season lawn type which is probably one of the most beautiful lawns, with a lovely deep rich green colour, a fine leaf and forms a dense, lush mat of carpet-like sod. However, bent grass is not best suited for home lawns. It has a very shallow, dense root mat, really only suited for cold climates where it comes from. It does not tolerate warm weather because of shallow root mat, needs plenty of water and…

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  • Zoysia (inc. varieties)

    Zoysia is considered premium warm season lawn and is gaining great popularity. It has a slightly larger blade than couch, requires less mowing and maintenance and can be cut short to 10 mm and up to 30 mm long. Because of its larger blade, zoysia grass can handle full sun and also more shade than couch grass. It does not handle extreme cold very well and is best suited to warmer regions. It’s a good lawn for regions of high…

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  • Kikuyu (inc. hybrid varieties)

    Kikuyu has always been the number one choice for any lawn areas which are expected to be under heavy wear and tear conditions throughout its life, as this grass repairs itself quicker than almost any other grass. Its durability and self-repairing allows it to withstand the busiest of backyards. Kikuyu is also preferred by many for its soft leaf, which makes a soft lawn and for its bright green colour. When cared for properly, and mowed with sharp blades and…

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  • Common & Hybrid Couch

    Couch is one of the most popular lawns in Australia and has been so for a long time. Couch has a fine leaf and has a dark green colour, has high durability and is very drought tolerant and occurs natively in many areas – all these factors contribute to its popularity. Couch thrives in full sun and handles extreme heat, but can’t handle shade – as little as 10% will affect its growth. Couch responds well with care and fertilising.…

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  • Buffalo (inc. hybrid varieties)

    Almost all buffalo grasses sold today are soft leaf buffalo. Most are referred to by their brand names, such as Sapphire, Matilda, Sir Walter, Palmetto, Shademaster, ST Varieties and more. These new buffalo strains are an improvement with softer feel, durability, shade tolerance and reduced invasiveness. The new soft leaf buffalo grasses grow well in sandy, lightly salty, or alkaline soils. These grasses love full sun and some are capable of handling up to 70% shade, yet still considered a…

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