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Agrostis stolonifera

Previously known as:

  • Agrostis alba
  • Agrostis palustris
Phonetic Spelling
Ah-GROSS-tis stoh-lon-NIF-er-ra
Description

Creeping bentgrass is a cool season, vigorous, perennial grass, found throughout the continental United States. The genus name is from the Greek names agron or agros, meaning "field or pasture." The species epithet means "bearing stolons or runners."

Creeping bentgrass typically colonizes moist disturbed areas through rhizomes, stolons, and seeds, and left to grow to a mature height, can reach 3 feet. However, it is more typically mowed to a one half inch or less producing a coarse, open thatch. Creeping bentgrass provides forage for large animals, remaining green throughout the summer, and can create a dense cover for small mammals and birds. It may be grown for hay because of its tolerance to mowing. It is also used in gardens, landscapes, and golf course putting greens. On the other hand, it can be a weed in a tall fescue lawns. Once mature, creeping bentgrass holds up well under foot traffic. It can require high maintenance in the form of fertilization, topdressing, mowing, and frequent fungicide applications, particularly during the summer months.

Creeping bentgrass does well in well-drained loamy soils, but will tolerate a high water table and periodic flooding. It will grow on acidic soils, does well in cold winters. It normally hardens off in late fall and turns brown as it becomes dormant. In mild climates, it remains green, but may develop red patches. It is moderately salt tolerant. It prefers full sun and does not do well in shade.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Creeping bentgrass is susceptible to various diseases. Dollar spot, brown patch, and pythium are important problems.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#vigorous#salt tolerant#spreading#rhizomatous#weedy grass#flood tolerant#turfgrass#drought intolerant#shade intolerant#weed#cold tolerant#perennial grass
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#vigorous#salt tolerant#spreading#rhizomatous#weedy grass#flood tolerant#turfgrass#drought intolerant#shade intolerant#weed#cold tolerant#perennial grass
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Agrostis
    Species:
    stolonifera
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Temperate Eurasia, North Africa south to Chad.
    Distribution:
    Introduced into the Continental United States and Central Canada, Greenland, western South America.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Perennial
    Turfgrass
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Description:
    Seedhead is a compressed panicle; each spikelet is elliptical, with a single seed.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Midsummer, small purple blooms. Narrow and dense panicles half the length of the stem.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Smooth leaf blades 1/8 to 3/8 inch wide, 2 to 7 inches long, stiff, flat, and pointed at the tip, with distinct veins. Margins are finely barbed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No