Grasses used in Missouri are primarily turf-type tall fescues and they are very adaptible to the Missouri climate. Ryegrass and bluegrass are two more cool season grasses that are used in Missouri. Along the southern region, you may find warm season grasses such as bermuda and zoysiagrass.

Cool-Season Grasses:
Tall fescue - Turf Type - Due to its heat and drought tolerance, it is a good general purpose turfgrass for Missouri. Tall fescue is a tall-growing, coarse- to medium-textured, bunch-type turfgrass that can be established by seed or sod. Tall fescue resists heavy wear and high temperatures. When adequately irrigated, it can be grown successfully in all parts of Missouri.

Kentucky bluegrass - The use of Kentucky bluegrass should be limited to the cooler parts of Missouri. Unlike perennial ryegrass, which is a bunch type turfgrass, Kentucky bluegrass spreads by rhizomes and withstands moderate traffic. Because of the rhizomes, Kentucky bluegrass recuperates well from wear injury. On athletic fields, it can be used in mixtures with perennial ryegrass and/or tall fescue.

Fine fescues - Fine Fescue is a shade tolerant turf grass with a medium to dark green color. Fine fescues grow best in cool humid regions, coastal regions and in high elevations. All varieties require little maintenance and like to be mowed at 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches. They have the finest leaves, the most shade tolerance and the lowest fertilizer, mowing and moisture requirements of all the cool season turf grasses. Chewings Fescue, Red Fescue, Creeping Red Fescue, Sheep Fescue and Hard Fescue are popular varieties of Fine Fescue. These varieties can be found on lawns, in parks, along road sides and other turf grass areas and extensively used in grass seed blends and mixes for both sunny and shady areas. Fine Fescues are not recommended for sports fields and golf tees because they have a low wear tolerance. Most of these varieties have all the same characteristics. Chewings Fescue has a noncreeping, bunch-type growth habit unlike Red Fescue. All varieties germinate rapidly and are well adapted to poor, dry, sandy soils.

Perennial ryegrass - Turf-type perennial ryegrasses germinate and establish very rapidly. They are extremely wear tolerant, producing beautiful lawns that do not form thatch. Ryegrasses blend well with other grasses and add disease and insect resistance to bluegrass mixes. Ryegrass leaves are fibrous, requiring a sharp mower blade to avoid shredding or tearing the turf. Like Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrasses require moderate to high fertility levels.

Warm-Season Grasses:
Bermuda Grass - Bermudagrass is the species most adapted to and most frequently used in southern Missouri. Many new and improved seeded varieties have been developed and released during the last 10 years. Users now have a choice of varieties that are denser and finer textured than the almost extinct seed of common bermudagrass. Bermudagrass spreads aggressively by stolons (aboveground runners) and rhizomes (belowground runners) and can become a nuisance when it invades flower beds and gardens. Also, cold-tolerant seeded and vegetative varieties are available that withstand lower winter temperatures.

Click Name To View Grass Seed Choice		Type	Applications
Bermuda Grass - Oasis		Warm Season	Lawns - Full Sun - Fast Growing
Bermuda Grass - Blackjack		Warm Season	Lawns - Full Sun - Fast Growing
Bermuda Grass - Yukon		Warm Season	Lawns - Golf Course - Fast Growing Full Sun - High End - Best Cold Tolerance
Bermuda Grass - Arden 15		Warm Season	Lawns - Golf Course - Fast Growing Full Sun - High End
Cool Season Mix - Showtime		Cool Season	Lawns - Moderate Shade Rye, Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue Mix
Cool Season Mix - Garland		Cool Season	Lawns - Moderate Shade Rye, Fine Fescue Mix
Fescue/Bluegrass Mix - Combat Extreme South		Cool Season	Lawns - Wear Tolerant - Extra Heat Tolerance
Fescue Blend - Combat Extreme Transition		Cool Season	Lawns - Wear Tolerant
Fine Fescue Blend - Legacy		Cool Season	Lawns - Moderate to Dense Shade
Kentucky Bluegrass - Bluegrass Supreme		Cool Season	Lawns - Golf Gourses - Full Sun
Kentucky Bluegrass - Midnight		Cool Season	Lawns - Golf Courses - Full Sun
OSP Ryegrass		Cool Season	Lawns - Golf Courses

Combat Extreme Southern

Extra Heat Tolerance

 

Combat Southern is a 3-way mixture of turf type fescue and Hybrid Bluegrass which is heat and drought tolerant enough to be used in USDA Zones 8 - 10 (partial shade recommend for USDA Zone 9 and 10). This mixture is approximately 90% turf type fescue grass seed and 10% hybrid bluegrass seed by weight. By seed count, this makes almost a 50/50 blend of fescue and hybrid drought tolerant bluegrass.

• Wear Tolerant
• Cost Efficient
• Lawns

OSP Ryegrass

Cost Effective Choice

 

this perennial rye grass was developed with turf characteristics important for all uses. In addition, this rye grasshas superior seed quality, with a “Poa–free” tag based on extended seed testing so you are not planting your problems. The cultivars used exhibit rapid establishment, stress and disease tolerance, cool weather active growth, wear tolerance and recovery.

• Wear Tolerance
• Cold Tolerance
• Lawns

Below is the USDA Zone Map for Missouri 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. Midnight) for more information about that grass and to make your purchase.

USDA Zone Map For Missouri