A VERY COMPETITIVE cool-season grass, perennial ryegrass is best adapted to coastal regions that have moderate temperatures throughout the year. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Perennial ryegrass has the highest wear-tolerance of any cool-season grass and can tolerate high traffic. Because it germinates quickly, it is often used for overseeding winter-dormant Bermudagrass. Its rapid emergence helps to suppress weeds; but while it established much quicker than other varieties, it also consumes considerably more water.

Attributes
• Especially good for fairways, as it establishes quickly and tolerates heavy traffic
• Fewer disease problems than creeping bentgrass.
• By far the most popular species used for overseeding dormant Bermudagrass during cool periods.
• Good color
• Resists invasion of Poa annua, thanks to excellent density
• Contains endophytes that reduce the need for insecticides and may even
enhance disease and stress tolerance
• Good in high-traffic areas
• Produces no thatch
• Good in shade

Drawbacks
• Does not tolerate excessive cold or heat, drought or low fertility
• Most susceptible turfgrass to Pythium disease
• High seeding rates mean it can be expensive (annual ryegrass provides a cheaper alternative but has a slightly yellowish color and is slightly more disease-prone)
• Close attention is needed to select a cultivar that does not impede the return of Bermudagrass in the spring
• Requires more frequent mowing than Kentucky bluegrass or fine fescue
• Slow to green up when soil is cool
Grass Index
Bentgrass |
Bermudagrass |
Carpetgrass |
Fine Fescue |
Kentucky Bluegrass |
Kikuyugrass |
Paspalum |
Perennial Ryegrass |
Zoysiagrass