Grass Seed For Lawns & Gardens

Perennial ryegrass has very good wearing qualities and germinates quickly. The species is highly suitable for both sports areas and fine turf. Ideal for overseeding becauseof its rapid establishment in a range of soils

Latin name: lolium perrnne

Seeds/gram: 600

Germination: 1-2 weeks 

Shoot density: 200-350 shoots/cm²

Cutting height: Normal: 28-40mm not less than 4mm

Growth: in tufts 

^{Distinguishing features} 

• ^{Leaves largely paralled-sided, but narrow to a fine tip}

• ^{Upper leaf surface dull with clear ribs}

• ^{Underside of leaf glossy with prominent keel}

• ^{Leaves and stems reddish at base}

• ^{Leaf blade folded in the shoot}

• ^{Ligule up to 2mm long}

• ^{Clear sheath/auricle} 

4 Turf tetraploid Perennial ryegrass has very good wearing qualities and germinates quickly. Exceptional tolerance to a broad range of environmental stresses.

Increased chloroplast and chlorophyll production for improved nitrogen efficiency and deeper colour throughout the seasons. Enhanced root development, stronger and deeper root system. Significantly increased disease resistance, fusarium, leaf spot and red thread. The species is a highly suitable mixture partner for sports turf thanks to its slightly more open nature & because of its rapid establishment in a range of conditions.

Latin name: Lolium perenne

Seed/gram: 550

Germination 1-2 weeks

Shoot density: 150-250 shoots/100cm²

Cutting height: Normal:28-40mm, not less than 4mm 

Growth: In tufts

Distinguishing features: 

• 4 sets chromosomes

• Leaves largely parallel-sided, but narrow to a fine tip

•  Upper leaf surface dull with clear ribs

•  Underside of leaf glossy with prominent keel

•  Leaves and stems reddish at base • Leaf blade folded in the shoot

•  Ligule up to 2mm long • Clear sheath/auricle 

The high shoot density and tolerance to close cutting makes the species particularly suitable for golf greens, tees, & fairways. Maintains good colour and a fine appearance throughout the year. Requires minimal water and fertiliser. Tolerates acidic soils.

Latin name:       Festuca rubra
                          commutata

Seeds/gram:     1000

Germination:     About 2 weeks

Shoot density:   450-800
                          shoots/100cm²

Cutting height:   Normal: 20-35mm
                          Not less than 5mm

Growth:             In tufts

Distinguishing features:

• Leaves fine, stiff and filamentous 

• Young leaf folded in shoot (generally remains unfolded when mature)

 • Ligule short, blunt and difficult to distinguish

 • Roots bunched together • No rhizomes

 • Leaf sheath complete, not overlapping

The high shoot density and tolerance to close cutting makes the species particularly suitable for golf greens, tees & fairways.Moderately salt tolerant. The runners can regenerate cover in worn areas. Mixes well with Festuca rubra commutata.

Latin name:        Festuca rubra litoralis

Seeds/gram:     1000

Germination:      About 2 weeks

Shoot density:    450-800 shoots/100cm²

Cutting height:   Normal: 20-35mm
                          Not less than 5mm

Growth:              Creeping with short rhizomes

Distinguishing features:

• Leaves stiff and filamentous 

• Young leaf folded in shoot (generally remains unfolded when mature)

• Ligule short, blunt and difficult to distinguish

• Short rhizomes 

• Leaf sheath complete, not overlapping

Rhizomatous growth stabilises root zones and provides some recovery from damage. This species is used in turf production for binding. Strong creeping red fescue is not suited to close mown areas such as golf greens. It is however used in some tees and fairway mixtures as it has some regenerative capacity due to its rhizomes.

Latin name:        Festuca rubra rubra

Seeds/gram:     800

Germination:      About 2 weeks

Shoot density:    250-450
                          shoots/100cm²

Cutting height:   Normal: 20-35mm
                          Not less than 12mm

Growth:              Creeping long
                          rhizomes

Distinguishing features:

• Leaves stiff and filamentous

• Young leaf folded in shoot (tends to remain unfolded when mature)

• Ligule short, blunt and difficult to distinguish

• Long rhizomes

• Leaf sheath complete, not overlapping 

Very good resistance to extremes of heat and cold. Very high drought tolerance. Moderate to good wear tolerance. Some varieties do form rhizomes.

Latin name:        Festuca

                          arundinacea

Seeds/gram:     650

Germination:      2-3 weeks

Shoot density:    200 shoots/100cm²

Cutting height:   Normal: 30-40mm
                          Not less than 10mm

Growth:              In tufts

Distinguishing features:

• Strongly veined upper leaf surface

• Blade rolled when young 
• Large flat mature leaf

• Ligules short

• Small hairy auricles
• Purple red leaf sheath

A highly drought tolerant, low nutrient demand grass. Some cultivars tolerate very close mowing. A highly flexible species used in a diverse range of mixtures particularly suitable for sustainable golf course management programs.
It is particularly useful in low maintenance situations and has a tolerance to a wide range of soils from acidic to alkaline. Visually attractive if left uncut.

Latin name:        Festuca ovina

Seeds/gram:     950

Germination:      2-3 weeks

Shoot density:    800-1000 shoots/100cm²

Cutting height:   Normal: 15-35mm
                          Not less than 5mm

Growth:              In tufts

Distinguishing features:

• Very fine leaved plant with high shoot density

• Leaves are thread like, hairless with a strongly ribbed ridged upper surface

• Leaves greyish to blue green coloration 
• Characteristically forms whorls as a mature plant, (Sheeps fescue) 

• Auricles are described as absent or much reduced 

• Ligule is very short • Rhizomes absent 

• Leaf sheaths open and overlapping

Ideal for golf greens in mixture with Festuca rubra commutata and Festuca rubra litoralis. Does best under relatively poor growth conditions. Over-fertilising, over-watering and compact or waterlogged soil will result in displacement of the species by annual meadow grass.

Latin name:        Agrostis capillaris  syn. tenuis

Seeds/gram:     10,000

Germination:      2-3 weeks

Shoot density:    400-600
                          shoots/100cm²

Cutting height:   Normal: 4-12mm;
                          good durability
                          at 5mm

Growth:              Creeping mainly
                          short rhizomes

Distinguishing features:

• Leaves matt green and broadest at base, gradually narrowing to a fine tip

• Leaf with parallel venation, no keel. Upper surface and lower surface of similar appearance

• Leaf rolled in shoot • Ligule short, truncated, 0.5-2.0mm long

• Short rhizomes, to a lesser degree, stolons

high tolerance to close cutting. Relative to browntop bent grass, requires intensive management, fertilising and watering. Tends to become dormant in winter.

Latin name:        Agrostis stolonifera

Seeds/gram:     12,000

Germination:      About 2 weeks

Shoot density:    400-600
                          shoots/100cm²

Cutting height:   Normal: 3-12mm
                          Not over 15mm

Growth:              Creeping stolons

Distinguishing features:

• Leaves matt grey-green and broadest at base, gradually narrowing to fine tip

• Leaf with ribs above

• Leaf rolled in shoot

• Ligule rounded, lightly toothed, up to 5 mm long 
• Can root at nodes

• Numerous stolons

Of the bent grass species, velvet bent tolerates the closest cutting, forming a dense attractive sward which can help to prevent the  invasion of poa annua . This native bent grass has the highest natural resistance to common turf grass diseases and exceptional drought tolerance. Over feeding will cause excessive growth and thatch build up

Latin name:        Agrostis canina

Seeds/gram:     12,000

Germination:      About 2 weeks

Shoot density:    700-800
                          shoots/100cm²

Cutting height:   Normal: 3-10mm
                          Not over 15mm

Growth:              slender Creeping stolons

Distinguishing features:

• Leaves bright green or grey green, finely bladed, hairless & finely ribbed above.

• Ligules often pointed, 2-4 mm long

• Numerous slender stolons rooting at the nodes

Forms an attractive carpet with good wearing qualities and regenerative ability. Slow to establish. Ideal for turf production, tees and sports areas.

Latin name:        Poa pratensis

Seeds/gram:     3000

Germination:      3-4 weeks

Shoot density:    200-350
                          shoots/100cm²

Cutting height:   Normal: 20-35mm
                          Not less than 8mm.

Growth:              Creeping with
                          rhizomes

Distinguishing features:

• Leaves dark green or with bluish bloom

• Of uniform width, abruptly terminating in boat-shaped tip

• Two pale parallel lines visible along midrib when leaf is held up against light

• Underside of leaf with keel

• Leaf blade folded in the shoot

• Ligule short, rounded, 1-3mm long

Mainly used in conditions where light is insufficient due to shade or in the winter months. 

Latin name: Poa trivialis 

Seeds/gram: 4000

Germinination: 3-4  weeks

Dense, fine and darker colour
High shade tolerance
Good frost tolerance
Erect growth and fast establishment

Annual Ryegrass is the fastest establishing grass one can find.

Forage types have broad leaves but recent breeding efforts have resulted in finer leaved types becoming avaliable, very suited for short lived purposes like overseeding on sportsfields during wintertime or as nurse crop for fast establishment of turf mixtures.