Recommended Bluegrass Varieties

Under the right conditions and proper management, bluegrass can make a beautiful lawn. The following cultivars have performed well relative to other varieties in university trials in Kansas and Missouri and other states with similar growing conditions.

Recommended cultivars for high maintenance lawns such as irrigation during dry weather and higher nitrogen fertilization include Advocate, America, Apollo, Arcadia Award, Baronie, Blacksburg, Brilliant, Champagne, Glade, Jefferson, Liberator, Midnight, Odyssey, Pick 8, Rugby II, Showcase, Total Eclipse, Unique and Wildwood.

Cultivars that do well under lower management levels such as low nitrogen fertilization and minimal to no irrigation include Baron, Baronie, Caliber, Canterbury, Dragon, Eagleton, Kenblue, North Star, and South Dakota.

Avoid common types of bluegrass such as Park, Certified, Ginger, Alene, and Greeley which tend to be prone to Summer Patch, a major disease problem with bluegrass.

Dennis Patton, DPatton@oznet.ksu.edu
County Extension Agent, Horticulture
Johnson County, Kansas
Kansas State University Research and Extension