Grasses used in Maryland generally consist of turf type tall fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass, fine fescue, or mixtures of these grasses. Turf type fescue is used where drought tolerance is the primary focus. Some people are using zoysia grass in MD. This is a warm season grass that will go dormant and turn brown during all cold months (approximately 6 months) in MD.
Cool-Season Grasses: Tall Fescue - The new turf-type tall fescues are excellent for Maryland. While they take a little while to establish or recuperate since they are a clump-type grass, they are extremely wear resistant; drought-, heat- and salt-tolerant; and moderately shade tolerant. Tall fescues have few disease problems and require less maintenance that other grasses. Kentucky bluegrass is the first grass to brown out in the summer and tall fescue is the last.
Kentucky Bluegrass - This high-quality turf has a nice green color and good recuperative ability. But, it damages easily, suffers from heat and drought, requires moderately high maintenance, has a tendency to thatch, is susceptible to many diseases, and is intolerant of shade or salt.
Perennial ryegrasses are bunching cool season grasses that are compatible in appearance with bluegrass, do not form thatch, have good heat tolerance and may be drought resistant. They tend to be disease prone and offer poor freezing tolerance if flooded or exposed to wind. Perennial ryegrasses is designed for full sun areas, but will tolerate some shade. Ryegrass is bred to give a pleasing dark green color, with a fine texture and excellent mowing qualities. Is also a very good choice for blends with Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue.
Fine-leaf Fescues - Fine fescues have an extremely narrow, almost needle-like leaf blade. They are included in turfgrass mixtures for their excellent shade tolerance. Fine-leaf fescue often appears in neglected lawns because it withstands a high pH. Due to its fine texture, fine-leaf fescue is often difficult to mow.
Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass is the most Popular Blue Grass In America. The images above of Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass from customers and aroundtheyard.com illustrate how beautiful Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass is. It is a unique compact-type variety grown in the plush Willamette Valley in Oregon to be distributed across the United States. Maintains a dark green color with good drought tolerance and a dwarf growth habit.
Supreme Bluegrass Blend is a either a 3-way or 4-way blend of very good, top performing Kentucky Blue grass varieties. It is an excellent choice for growing a supreme Kentucky Bluegrass lawn. The varieties that are selected for this blend are chosen for their excellent color, quick establishment, resistance to disease, and their ability to perform under a broad range of weather and soil conditions. Kentucky Blue Grass lawns are known for their fine to medium texture, uniformity of color, and density and durability for traffic. Kentucky Bluegrass has the ability to repair with rhizomes that spread and fill thin, worn areas.
Cost Effective
Lawns
Wear Resistant
USDA ZONE MAP
Below is the USDA Zone Map for Maryland so you can determine which zone you reside in. Below that are our picks for your state which will do best in your area. Next on this page are tables which list various grasses and their characteristics so you can compare before you decide on your purchase. Click on the product name (ie. Combat Extreme) for more information about that grass and to make your purchase.
USDA Zone Map For Maryland
Compare Various Grasses For Their Characteristics
Cool Season Grasses
Leaf Texture
Establish Rate
Nitrogen Use
Water Use
Drought Tolerance
Salinity Tolerance
Shade Tolerance
Bluegrass - Kentucky
Moderate to Fine
Slow
Moderate to High
Moderate to High
Good
Moderate
Poor
Bluegrass - Rough
Moderate to Fine
Slow
Moderate to High
Moderate to High
Poor
Moderate
Excellent
Fescue - Turf Type
Moderate to Coarse
Moderate
Moderate to High
Low to Moderate
Excellent
Low
Good to Excellent
Ryegrass - Perennial
Fine to Moderate
Very Fast
Moderate to High
Moderate to High
Good
Poor to Moderate
Poor to Moderate
Compare Various Grasses For Their Characteristics - Continued
