Lolium perenne
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- LOW-lee-um per-EN-ay
- Description
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Perennial Ryegrass is a cool season turf grass with a bunch-like form. It is more often grown in a mixture with Kentucky Bluegrass. It is often used for winter overseeding on sites where high quality and winter color are needed. It does not often survive the onset of warm weather in spring and early summer. It is also a good turfgrass for overseeding bermudagrass, particularly when a wearable surface is needed on athletic fields during the winter or early spring.
Perennial Ryegrass has shallow roots and glossy green leaf blades. It is quick to germinate and provides good coverage and traffic tolerance. However, it is non-spreading habit and can become tufted. Because it does not spread, reseeding must be done to cover bare spots.
For more information, please refer to the NC State Extension TurfFiles entry for Perennial Ryegrass.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lolium
- Species:
- perenne
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Asia, Africa
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Turfgrass
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- Does not flower.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Foot Traffic
