There are many varieties of turf that is grown in Australia. The variety of grass you choose will depend on its climate and purpose and cost, Different types of grass have their pluses and minuses, some grass varieties are more resilient in both colder and droughted out conditions. below we list some of the most common grasses that we find around most Aussie gardens.
Buffalo Grass
Buffalo Grass is a great all round grass, perfect for most Australian conditions absolutely thrives through Summer even with minimal water and extreme heat and is great for shaded areas. Buffalo lawn was widely used and most lovingly referred to as Ol' Scratchy, due to its coarse and sharp leaf blades, times have changed dramatically for the better for this well loved favourite lawn grass in Australia.
Buffalo grass is versatile and hardy, many factors which cause most other lawns a problem are not a problem for Buffalo lawn grass. Today's new buffalo lawn varieties are a vast improvement over the old days, these new grasses are soft, able to withstand wear and tear, and they have the best shade tolerance amongst almost every other lawn type at around 70% shade tolerance. Buffalo grass is great when it comes to garden beds and walk ways as it doesn't put out creepers like other grasses like Couch or Kikuyu grasses, and can be an excellent all round choices for Australian homes today. Soft leaf buffalo grasses go very good and grow well in sandy, lightly salty, or alkaline soils.
Buffalo grass is versatile and hardy, many factors which cause most other lawns a problem are not a problem for Buffalo lawn grass. Today's new buffalo lawn varieties are a vast improvement over the old days, these new grasses are soft, able to withstand wear and tear, and they have the best shade tolerance amongst almost every other lawn type at around 70% shade tolerance. Buffalo grass is great when it comes to garden beds and walk ways as it doesn't put out creepers like other grasses like Couch or Kikuyu grasses, and can be an excellent all round choices for Australian homes today. Soft leaf buffalo grasses go very good and grow well in sandy, lightly salty, or alkaline soils.
Lawn Mowing Requirements
Buffalo Grass is a beautiful green and lushes type of grass that is great to look at, cutting heights should always be higher than most other types of grass varieties. Buffalo grass, typically a height of 30 - 65 mm is normally sufficient to maintain a great looking buffalo lawn, regular mowing is important in the warmer months every 2-3 weeks is the go with 3-4 weeks during the Winter months should keep things under control.
So Whats The Differance? - Sir Walter - Palmetto - Shademaster - Sapphire..
So what's the difference between all these different names well nothing really Buffalo Grass is Buffalo Grass, each name just signifies a difference in the breeding process which has occurred between each brand name. The difference in names is defining these breeding differences.
Overall Rating
Leaf Type Fine | Medium | Coarse
Type Warm Season | Cool Season
Aggressiveness Low | Medium | High
Traffic Tolerance Low | Medium | High
Sun Requirements Low | Medium | High
Shade Tolerance Poor | Good | Excellent
Salt Tolerance Poor | Good | Excellent
Ideal pH 5.5 - 6.5
Botanical Name Stenotaphrum secundatum
Also Know As St. Augustine
Varieties : Sapphire, Sir Walter, Palmetto, Shademaster, ST26, Matilda, Original Buffalo, and many other names.
Kikuyu Grass
A proven performer in most Australian climates, Kikuyu Grass is a vigorous grower that stands up to a wide range of conditions. Good for both home lawns and larger spaces such as racecourses or parks. If you’re looking for a grass that is an economical all-rounder, then Kikuyu Grass variety is your choice of lawn. Its medium-coarse bright green leaves give a Kikuyu lawn superior colour, which is maintained year round in warm climates. In cold climates, growth and colour is maintained well into autumn and early winter. Kikuyu also has superior disease resistance and reasonable cold weather tolerance.
Problem With Kikuyu
Just like all grasses, Kikuyu too does have its negative sides which need to be taken into consideration as well. Expect to have to mow more often than not as Kikuyu is a very strong growing grass, mowing in warmer months will need to be done every two weeks and 3-4 weeks through the Winter months, also this grass tends to spread into places you least want it to be as it puts out fine seed heads that can spread through garden beds and a like, so keeping on top of the mowing is critical. if we are to plant a Kikuyu lawn, then it’s always wise to choose a male sterile Kikuyu which is far less likely to produce viable seeds heads, meaning less chance of the seed spreading to places you less desire them to be.
Overall Rating
Leaf Type Fine | Medium | Coarse
Type Warm Season | Cool Season
Aggressiveness Low | Medium | High
Traffic Tolerance Low | Medium | High
Sun Requirements Low | Medium | High
Shade Tolerance Poor | Good | Excellent
Salt Tolerance Poor | Good | Excellent
Ideal pH 6.5
Botanical Name Pennisetum clandestinum
Also Know As Male Sterile Kikuyu
Varieties: Eureka + many other brand names
Couch Grass
Couch Grass is by far one of the most popular lawns used in Australia, and has so been for a long time. Couch lawns is an old favourite for both Australian homes, and recreation areas. In times gone past there were very little differences with Couch grass, and most lawns made up of this turf variety were of the ‘common’ couch type. However like almost every other lawn grass, extensive breeding has improved this lawn type considerably in the past decades. The quality of Couch grass has improved considerably over this same time to now give better colour, better drought tolerance, and better softness in these new variants.
Known for its fine leaf, bright to dark green colour, it's love and tolerance of full sunny conditions, excellent wear and tear and repair capabilities, drought tolerance, and its ability to establish almost anywhere and thrive, it's easy to see the appeal which Couch has enjoyed over so many decades.
Known for its fine leaf, bright to dark green colour, it's love and tolerance of full sunny conditions, excellent wear and tear and repair capabilities, drought tolerance, and its ability to establish almost anywhere and thrive, it's easy to see the appeal which Couch has enjoyed over so many decades.
Lawn Mowing Requirements
Couch is best mown every 5-7 days in the warmer months and every 3 weeks in the Winter months. Its low dormancy means it has an early start to growth after winter, and it has rapid recovery from wear and other stresses. It's a very easy lawn to let get out of control especially throughout the warmer months.
Overall Rating
Leaf Type Fine | Medium | Coarse
Type Warm Season | Cool Season
Aggressiveness Low | Medium | High
Traffic Tolerance Low | Medium | High
Sun Requirements Low | Medium | High
Shade Tolerance Poor | Good | Excellent
Salt Tolerance Poor | Good | Excellent
Ideal pH 6.5
Botanical Name Cynodon dactylon
Also Known As Bermuda Grass
Varieties : Wintergreen, Greenlees Park, Santa Ana, Windsor Green + many other brand names
Type Warm Season | Cool Season
Aggressiveness Low | Medium | High
Traffic Tolerance Low | Medium | High
Sun Requirements Low | Medium | High
Shade Tolerance Poor | Good | Excellent
Salt Tolerance Poor | Good | Excellent
Ideal pH 6.5
Botanical Name Cynodon dactylon
Also Known As Bermuda Grass
Varieties : Wintergreen, Greenlees Park, Santa Ana, Windsor Green + many other brand names